New York Giants rising star and rookie edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is in some hot water for his antics during Sunday’s blowout win over the hapless Indianapolis Colts. Thibodeaux, who has been the Giants/ most explosive pass rusher since Michael Strahan, sacked Colts quarterback Nick Foles who seemed hurt.
Why Was Shannon Sharpe Mad At Kayvon Thibodeaux?
Thibodeaux subsequently began doing a snow angel celebration right beside Foles. Thibs says he didn’t notice that he’d hurt Foles, who eventually walked off under his own power. Following the game, Thibodeaux showed little to no remorse for his actions, and he said he doesn’t even know who Colts coach Jeff Saturday is.
Saturday referred to the rookie edge rusher’s actions as “tasteless” and “trash.” Saturday has been getting his butt kicked since his controversial takeover as the Colts’ head coach, so his frustration is understandable.
Despite Thibodeaux’s tremendous play over the last five games, FS1 personality Shannon Sharpe, who’s been very critical of people’s action throughout the world of football lately, chose to agree with Saturday’s sentiments on the No. 5 overall pick from Oregon.
During Thursday’s episode of “Undisputed” on FS1, Sharpe let his feelings be known on the matter.
“When you got your butt off of that ground and you got to the sidelines, you shouldn’t have did what you did,” Sharpe said. “And on top of that, when you got your butt in your car and you’re driving home, you shouldn’t have did what you did. So, you doubled and tripled down on it.”
“So, yes I absolutely have a problem with him, and he does know who Jeff Saturday is.”
Kayvon Thibodeaux on Jeff Saturday’s criticism: “I don’t know who he is”
“I have a problem of him not accepting responsibility. You can’t pick and choose when we’re a brotherhood!” — @ShannonSharpe pic.twitter.com/NXyI61BCms
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) January 5, 2023
A legend himself, Sharpe is big on paying homage to those who came before him, and in this instance, he feels as if Thibodeaux should have done the same.
Who Is Jeff Saturday?
Sharpe also says that what the former All-Pro and multiple Super Bowl champion accomplished on and off the field are more than enough for the Giants’ talented rookie to know who Saturday is.
Saturday is best known for the 13 seasons he played with Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. He won Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago Bears and was selected to four All-Pro teams and was selected to five of his six Pro Bowls during that Indy stint.
“But, that’s your problem, because you don’t do your research and pay homage to the guys that came before you, who made it better, who helped you make more money, because, Jeff Saturday, if I’m not mistaken was on the Players’ Association Committee, and he did a lot to make sure the safety of the game and the monetary benefits that Kayvon Thibodeaux is receiving right now,” Sharpe said.
Sharpe’s entire rant was a stretch, but we get what he was trying to tell the young baller.
https://youtu.be/MyYNCl8Br1I
On the gridiron Saturday will go down as one the best centers the game has ever witnessed. He snapped the football to Peyton Manning in Indianapolis winning one Super Bowl, was a four-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl pick and was a great player.
Kayvon Thibodeaux Is A Rising Star
While the sack numbers for the former No. 1 overall recruit don’t reflect his impact, he’s wreaking havoc for a very underrated Giants defense. The four sacks that he has have all been critical ones, if nothing else, but one that stands out is his strip sack of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, which led to a Giants touchdown in a come-from-behind win.
His biggest play to date came in a road win at the division rival Commanders, where he stripped quarterback Taylor Heinicke and scooped it up for a score. It was the difference in a huge 20-12 win with major playoff implications.
And he's only a rookie 🔥 @kayvont | #TogetherBlue
📺: #NYGvsWAS on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/BooZSZJZF4 pic.twitter.com/uflElKgAty— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2022
Thibodeaux is young, and a bit immature at the moment. His actions didn’t look good, and he didn’t show much remorse, but then again, these guys don’t get paid to show remorse. Those aspects of the game have been well overblown lately. The NFL has a way of humbling you, but there’s also an edge that elite players must maintain to stay at the top of their game. Thibodeaux will learn about karma as he advances in his craft.
