Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson issued an apology early Friday morning after using an offensive term during the Thursday Night Football postgame show. The incident occurred following the Falcons' narrow victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with a final score of 29-28 on December 11.
In a statement shared via X, Robinson expressed regret for his choice of words. “Hey everyone I want to apologize for the insensitive comment I made in the broadcast, it was a football game we used to play as a kid but that’s not an excuse,” he wrote. “I recognize the mistake and make sure to do better in the future. It was not reflective of my beliefs and I am so sorry to those I offended seriously!”
The 23-year-old player was discussing his performance during an interview with the Prime Video broadcast team when he was prompted about his childhood experiences playing backyard football. Analyst Richard Sherman remarked on Robinson's impressive play, saying, “You had a play where they threw it to you, Bijan, they threw it to you in the backfield, you made the first one miss, then legged three people. And I said, this boy grew up in the backyard.”
Robinson responded with a phrase commonly associated with a backyard game of keepaway, saying, “Smear the q****.” This term, while familiar in some circles, is also recognized as an outdated and offensive reference to the LGBTQIA+ community, prompting backlash from fans who found his comment inappropriate.
Ryan Fitzgerald, another member of the broadcast crew, quickly interjected by referring to the game as “Kill the Carrier,” attempting to redirect the conversation. Despite this, the damage was done, and Robinson's comment drew criticism for its insensitivity.
The game also elicited a fiery response from Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles during his postgame press conference. Bowles did not hold back, stating, “It’s inexcusable. You don’t make excuses. You got to f***ing care enough where the s*** hurts. You got to f***ing care enough where the s*** hurts. It got to f***ing mean something to you.” His passionate remarks underscored the emotional stakes of the game.
Bowles continued with a series of expletives, emphasizing the need for accountability among players: “It was f***ing inexcusable. There’s no f***ng answer for it. No excuse for it. That’s what you tell ’em in the locker room. Look in the f***ing mirror.”
Meanwhile, in the opposing locker room, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins took a moment to reflect on his journey over the past couple of years. After signing a $180 million contract with Atlanta prior to the 2024 season, Cousins faced challenges, including being benched late in the year for rookie Michael Penix Jr. He threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns during this game.
The Falcons now hold a record of 5-9 this season and have been eliminated from playoff contention. With three games remaining in their schedule, they will face off against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 21.
