Bengals quarterback Jermaine Pratt let his emotions get the best of him after a heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.
While walking into the locker room after the game, Pratt was caught on video shouting insults Over punt on Cincinnati defensive end Joseph Osai for hitting Patrick Mahomes out of bounds In the last minute – which set up the Chiefs’ 45-yard field goal at Arrowhead Stadium.
“It’s the last series from Mommy,” Pratt can be heard shouting in the now-viral footage. “Why does f–k touch the quarterback?”
On Monday, Pratt hit back for the first time on social media, blaming the backlash on others for his “raw” reaction. But speaking to the press later in the day, he opened up about the error.
Warning: graphic language
“I was in this moment” Pratt said. “I was wrong. I would say I was wrong. As a man, you can look in the mirror and say, ‘I was wrong.’ I wasn’t a great fellow in that moment. That doesn’t define me as a man.”
“It’s a reaction that anyone has a rival. You know what was at stake in that moment. I love this game, no doubt about it. They talk about my character as a teammate. Some people have never played this game. They don’t know how much effort it takes.” men put into the game.”
When asked if he had spoken to Usai since losing the AFC Championship, Pratt said he had “walked around and talked to every player”.
Osai was visibly upset after the loss and was seen crying on the bench in Cincinnati as his teammates consoled him. The 22-year-old Texas product was also crying in the locker room, And defensive tackle BJ Hill stood by Ossai answering reporters’ questions.
“I have to be better,” Osai said Sunday. “I was in full stalking mode.” And trying to push [Patrick Mahomes] Maybe make him come back [out of bounds] And running this hour… I have to know not to approach that quarterback when he gets close to that sideline.”
A free agent this offseason, Pratt said he’s looking forward to the time ahead with his kids and fiancée.
“The sisterhood we’ve built here is unparalleled,” Pratt said. “It’s unstoppable. No one can break us no matter how many people try to throw dirt on your name in the media, no one can stop it. I want to come back here.”
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