Derek Barnett explains his controversial hit on Green Bay RB Jamaal Williams
By Jake Rill
Published:
Many people on Twitter thought Derek Barnett should have been ejected for his hit on Packers running back Jamaal Williams during the Eagles’ game on Thursday night.
However, the former Tennessee defensive end came over and spoke to Williams, who got carted off the field, after the play. And Barnett is now expressing that the hit wasn’t intentional.
“I was running to the ball, and I didn’t hear a whistle,” Barnett said, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I went in and tried to tackle him because we’re playing football. I wasn’t trying to hurt anybody because it’s our livelihood, this is how we feed our families. So I don’t wish that upon nobody.”
But Barnett didn’t apologize for the way he plays the game.
“I’m going to have a penalty here and there,” Barnett said, per McLane. “It is what it is. I’m not going to be tip-toeing out there, though.”
Barnett, who played for the Vols from 2014-16, was selected by the Eagles with the No. 14 pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has 12 tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble, during Philadelphia’s 2-2 start.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
