Denver Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy was caught off guard when Steve Smith approached him to apologize. Smith, who had previously criticized Jeudy on his podcast, said he wanted to tell Jeudy that he was playing better and express his regret. However, Jeudy brushed him off and even cursed at him, causing Smith to share the encounter on the air. This incident created quite a buzz.
After the game, Jeudy acted as if he didn’t remember the encounter. However, during a press conference in Colorado, he finally addressed the situation. According to Andrew Mason of DenverSports.com, Jeudy stated that he would have responded differently if he had known Smith was coming to apologize. Nevertheless, Jeudy was put off by Smith’s friendly approach after having criticized him in the past.
“If you came to apologize to me, I would have understood and listened to what you had to say,” Jeudy said. “Where I come from, if someone speaks ill of you, you don’t approach them in person and act friendly as if nothing happened.”
Jeudy clarified that he had no hate towards Smith but mentioned a complaint that some people had voiced. They felt that Smith could have kept the heated conversation private instead of making it a public spectacle on NFL Network.
During a live segment on NFL Network, Jeudy was seen dancing behind Smith, who chose not to respond to the situation, stating, “I don’t need this drama, and I don’t want any problems on the sideline.” The entire interaction drew criticism, with some condemning Jeudy and others finding fault with Smith for criticizing Jeudy on air.
“One thing I do agree on is that I should have just listened to what he had to say,” Jeudy admitted. “But at the same time, I’m staying true to my roots. Once someone speaks ill of you behind your back, don’t expect everything to be okay when you confront them in person.”
Jeudy concluded by stating that he wouldn’t address the situation any further. However, it’s unlikely that it will be forgotten.
Jerry Jeudy comments on the Steve Smith situation: “… Where I’m from, we just don’t — if somebody talk bad about you, you don’t go to that other person and try to act friendly towards them like you didn’t just talk bad about them.” pic.twitter.com/evUNjMG0KX
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 19, 2023
Image Caption: Jerry Jeudy of the Denver Broncos had an argument with NFL Network’s Steve Smith before a Week 6 game at Kansas City. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
