Thursday night football saw high drama when Anthony Walker Jr. from Cleveland Browns suffered a knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The fans wondered what made Steelers’ lineman Chukwuma Okafor block Walker downfield. The Nigerian youngster went down awkwardly, after which Okorafor dove on Walker’s back.
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The 145 kg Okorafor diving on top of a smaller player Walker with 106 kg has evoked sharp reactions on Twitter. In the end, Walker was taken off the field, on a cart. His injury appeared to be that of an accident. However, the pain inflicted in the aftermath appeared intentional. Several Twitter users called for restraint behavior from the fans.
You’ve Never Played Football A Day In Your Life Have You
— … (@2Suckss) September 23, 2022
I'm done with NFL. Chukwuma Okorafor should have been ejected from the game and benched for the season. Al Michaels … love you but you didn't call out that hideous play. Until the NFL grows a pair and calls out unnecessary violence and fines/punishes the perp … Assault! pic.twitter.com/KBMDJkxoMf
— Michael Summerfield (@smrfld) September 23, 2022
Anyone that has ever played football doesnt just jump on someones back when the ball is already 40 yards down field and the player on the ground is already injured.
— WcQueen (@EmseeQueen) September 23, 2022
He smashed him in the head before jumping on him @nflcommish @NFL now we have a guy in hospital
— RoadOnTheRoadHole (@penaltyarea2) September 23, 2022
It’s an unfortunate play but I really don’t think Chukwuma Okorafor did anything dirty on that play
— Rip City/Browns (@RipCity_Report) September 23, 2022
NFL analyst receives flak for ‘air cast’ remark on Anthony Walker Jr.
Noted NFL analyst Tom Pelissero received backlash for his remarks on the injury. Several fans asked him how he could simply resort to humor when a player is in pain. Earlier, he posted a tweet related to the injury where he said Walker’s left leg is in an air cast.
Reacting to it, a user asked Pelissero to delete the post. Another user called the host ‘captain obvious’ and told him to stop spreading such Tweets. Meanwhile, several Steelers fans lashed out at Okorafor for his conduct. One such user called his action “literally disgusting.” Several fans lined up in unison as they pray for Walker.
Dude delete this lol
— Aidan O'Connor 🧀 (@awesomeaidan_) September 23, 2022
No reason to do that. That should be a game suspension or a fine at the least
— Morgan (@Morgan40127492) September 23, 2022
Suspend him for a game because fines don’t discipline the player
— skeetyameet (@skeetyameet) September 23, 2022
I’m a die hard Steelers fan. From birth till death. But what Chukwuma Okorafor just did right there is literally disgusting. Prayers up for Anthony Walker 🙏
— OmgItsRush2213•(-_•)•☘️🦆 (@OmgItsRush2213) September 23, 2022
Chukwuma Okorafor should have been thrown out of the game for that cheap shot! What a punk move!
— J Fry (@jwf901) September 23, 2022
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Brawls and big fights sweep the NFL
As NFL action head into Week 3, organizers are concerned about the increasing incidents of player brawls and injury reports. Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans was suspended for one game for one such incident. NFL GOAT Tom Brady, who broke the Tablet, has also admitted the emotion of the game is hitting hard on players.
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NFL may impose higher penalties as concerns about player safety are growing. Recently, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said his enthusiasm for the sport has waned in the past few years. “A survey this year showed that half of Americans don’t think tackle football is an appropriate sport for kids to play. This could lead to a shortage of not just fans who grow up more interested in other sports, but fewer players willing to risk their health,” the legend wrote in an article. The safety of the players has to be of top priority for the survival and growth of the game.
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