Many believe Pittsburgh Steelers star edge rusher, TJ Watt was snubbed by the Associated Press for the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award on Thursday night at the NFL Honors. Despite leading Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns in basically every major statistical category, the AP voters decided to award Garrett as DPOY. A distant third place finish went to Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys. Garrett finished with 165 total points, Watt finished with 140, and Parsons finished with 89. Instead of focusing on himself, Parsons decided to take to social media and made multiple posts on X.com that threw shade toward Watt.
Josie Lepe / ap
Dallas Cowboys linebacker, Micah Parsons (11).
Parsons started the night by defending Garrett with the following post.
Horrible take!! Myles was the better player!! Reality of the situation ! Myles Faced way more double teams and affect on qbs! Fans please stop looking at stats and look at film please!! https://t.co/neF8LwtfKk
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) February 9, 2024
In this one, Parsons decided to go after notorious Steelers fan, Jersey Jerry of Barstool Sports. Jersey Jerry rightfully sounded off about Watt being snubbed and Parsons decided to give his two cents on the issue. Parsons deciding to bash fans for looking at stats is an odd take from a player. Especially one that is due for a contract extension this summer. He also went with the new narrative that double-team rate, a stat made famous by Pro Football Focus, is somehow more important than actually sacking the quarterback. Odd, but that was just the start for Parsons.
Steelers' TJ Watt Catches A Stray Shot
Joe Sargent / Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (90) has the ability to take over any game at any time.
Next, Parsons threw a direct shot at Watt.
Nah respectfully I feel like I had a great year but I’m not a sore loser either I just gotta work harder!! https://t.co/Jf9URGguxt
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) February 9, 2024
I’m sure Parsons will walk back this comment at some point, but it is pretty cut and dry. Parsons is clearly referring to Watt as a sore loser, presumably for skipping the NFL Honors Awards Show altogether. Surely, there are no posts from 2023 where Parsons felt slighted by the AP voters as well, right?
You not the only one… https://t.co/UX89B9cBmY
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) January 13, 2024
Oh wait, there’s one. The irony of Parsons agreeing with retired NFL star JJ Watt, brother of TJ Watt, just writes itself. Clearly, Parsons was ticked off by the AP All-Pro Team announcement, where Garrett and Watt were named First Team All-Pro over him. So the same voters that he agreed with last night, were the target of his post. Funny how that works. I’m sure JJ Watt won’t be a fan of the way Parsons posted last night, and it would not be shocking if JJ Watt used his platform as a member of the media to respond in some capacity.
A Paper Trail Of Tears
Back to Parsons, he has become known as an outspoken player across the league. He has his own podcast called The Edge With Micah Parsons. This is a weekly podcast where he discusses his team's game that week and usually, has a headline-catching comment. This year, one that really blew up, was him complaining about the officiating after a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Micah Parsons calls for “More Refs” in the NFL after the #Eagles loss. He says the refs missed “obvious, blatant, terrible” holding calls on the Eagles, and that the refs “pick and choose” when they make calls. pic.twitter.com/GZBrThOkec
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) November 11, 2023
That sure seems like being a sore loser. Blaming the officiating is probably the number two play in any sore loser’s playbook. Number one would be throwing your teammates under the bus following a playoff loss. But, a non-sore loser like Parsons would never do that. Right?
A frustrated Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons said the 49ers defense made more plays than they did. But he also added that giving up just one touchdown and getting Deebo and McCaffrey in check should have been enough to win, especially if they don't have the two picks
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) January 23, 2023
That quote was following the Cowboys’ playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers to end the 2022-23 season. That reads like a direct shot at his teammates and their performance following a playoff loss. Some leadership.
This was not Parsons’ last example of being a sore loser on that same night. Following the loss, Parsons jumped on Instagram and left a comment on a post made by 49ers star Deebo Samuel.
Micah Parsons not feeling Deebo's latest IG post 😬 pic.twitter.com/k9grWjbRxk
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 23, 2023
There are many more examples of Parsons complaining after games and going after players of opposing teams, but Watt is the sore loser for skipping an awards show for being outrageously snubbed?
A Look Ahead to The 2024 Season
Steelers.com
A plethora of Steelers fans wave the infamous Terrible Towel during a home football game in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steeler Nation will have an opportunity to show Parsons how upset they are with his comments this fall, as the Steelers are slated to host the Cowboys. Hopefully, Watt, his teammates, and the fans will remember these boneheaded remarks, and can make it a rough day for him and the Cowboys.
What do you think? Did Parsons go too far? Let us know in the comments below.
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