D-Bag of the Week for 18/10/09

Published on: 20th October, 2009 @ 12:48 am by JeffG

This is a first…co-winners of the Douchebag of the Week award.  One for what he did, one for what he said.

And both are from the Carolina Panthers.

First there’s Dante Wesley.  The Panthers cornerback took it upon himself to try and make Carson Palmer’s prediction that someone will eventually be killed on a football field a reality this past Sunday.

By nearly decapitating Bucs PR Clifton Smith…before the ball even got there.  Here’s the vicious hit, where you clearly see three things…

1. Wesley leaves his feet and goes right for the head/throat of Smith
2. The ball doesn’t come into the frame until a good 3-4 seconds after the hit
3. Dante Wesley is a friggin’ douchebag

This is clearly one of those hits that is a clear-cut dirty tackle on Wesley’s part.  And for his idiocy, he got a one game suspension, without pay.

Here’s the vicious hit…

Smith received a concussion, and was unable to speak after the game.

Then there’s head coach John Fox, he of the uncertain future with the Panthers.  Unfortunately Fox, like a lot of coaches, was quick to defend Wesley and his dirty play.

And for that he’s a douchebag.

Look, I understand when coaches have to stick up for their guys…if they don’t it causes bad feelings and makes for an uncomfortable locker room.  But every once in a while a coach needs to go outside the norm and call out one of his own when they commit an obviously flagrant foul that almost seriously injures another player.

This was one of those times.

Instead of coming out and saying Wesley was wrong, that he deserves to be punished, that he’s a fucktard, Fox had this to say…

“I hate to see it. I hated to see it for their guy and our guy. But sometimes it happens. It’s not intentional; it’s not done maliciously. You’ve got to make a split-second decision. It’s no different than driving to work and putting your brakes on. Sometimes accidents happen.”

Are you fucking kidding me?  Wesley had a 10 yard run-up…plenty of time to make his decision.  And he chose to try and take Smith’s head off.  Accident my ass.

“I know the kid (Wesley), I know the kid’s character and I know he would never do anything intentionally like that,” Fox said. “It’s unfortunate that it happened, and I’m sure he’ll learn from it.”

Yes John Fox, it’s unfortunate.  It’s unfortunate that Wesley tried to decapitate Clifton Smith, and it’s unfortunate you had to be co-winner of the Douchebag of the Week.

Enjoy getting canned in the offseason. [Panthers.com]

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