Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has spoken for the first time since delivering the hit on Browns RB Nick Chubb, which resulted in a season-ending knee injury.
Some believe it was a dirty hit. Fitzpatrick disagrees.
“I didn’t see anybody on him. I made the decision as soon as I seen the hole open up and him in the hole to go low. You can tell me how to tackle him low but it’s a fast game. It’s a game (where) you make decisions in milliseconds. Can’t really control what happens after you choose to make your decision,” Fitzpatrick told reporters. “Somebody got on his back when I was going low, and what happened happened. There’s nothing I really would do differently. Again, like I said earlier, it’s very unfortunate. Nick Chubb’s a great player. He makes the game a lot better when he’s playing. Just hope for a speedy recovery.”
Fitzpatrick has not been fined by the league for the hit and was also injured in the collision himself. The All-Pro safety had to be taken to the hospital for a chest injury.
Thankfully for Pittsburgh, he only suffered a chest bruise and is expected to play in Pittsburgh’s Week 3 matchup against the Raiders on “Sunday Night Football.”
“If I tackle a guy like Nick Chubb going full speed downhill and I am stationary then I am going to get run over and concussed,” Fitzpatrick added. “Defensive players are people, too. We have to protect ourselves.”
It appears it was just an unfortunate injury, and nobody should be blamed. Football is a violent sport, and although fans never want to see their top players go down, it is sadly part of the game.
Cleveland has since signed veteran RB Kareem Hunt to back up Jerome Ford in its backfield. It’s a long season and hopefully there are no more serious injuries on either side the rest of the way.
“I am not a dirty player,” Fitzpatrick finished. “I had no ill will on the hit.”
