Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple is attracting much criticism after Super Bowl LVI.
After all, he was the one guarding Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp when Matthew Stafford threw him the game-winning touchdown.
The banter came from fellow NFL players like Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman, who teased Apple after allowing the play.
To be fair, it was the Bengals’ defensive back who started the exchange when he fired at the Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receivers first.
Two weeks later, Apple felt like he had a target on his back when more tweets about his poor performance surfaced.
While it seemed like Apple was against the world, his mom came to his defense by sharing thoughts about her son.
In 101 yrs of NFL, only 28,000 men can say they played in the NFL. Only 12,000 of them can say they played more than 4 yrs; think about how many of them made millions, been starters in the league &played in Super Bowl. It’s rare. Eli Apple is among those elites. Grateful & proud. pic.twitter.com/gBffpa0Sn8
— Annie Apple (@SurvivinAmerica) February 17, 2022
Annie Apple tweeted that “In 101 yrs of NFL, only 28,000 men can say they played in the NFL. Only 12,000 of them can say they played more than 4 yrs; think about how many of them made millions, been starters in the league & played in Super Bowl. It’s rare. Eli Apple is among those elites. Grateful & proud.”
She has a point about the NFL being some sort of exclusive fraternity of athletes who are lucky enough to play the game.
But she must understand that it was her son who made himself a subject of ridicule.
Winning Cures Everything
The scenario would have been different if Joe Burrow had more time on their final drive.
Jalen Ramsey tripped, leaving Offensive Rookie of the Year Ja’Marr Chase wide open.
That sequence would have resulted in essentially a walk-off touchdown for the Bengals, making Ramsey the butt of jokes and jests.
Instead, Aaron Donald got to Burrow, leaving the sophomore quarterback on the ground.
Apple made a tweet that all the noise he received awakened the fire in him.
Until he season starts, though, his lasting image will be the touchdown he gave to Kupp.
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