Current, former NFL players weigh in on JuJu Smith-Schuster’s cheap shot

NFL: Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster nearly broke the Internet after putting an illegal block on Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict in Monday night’s game.

The incident in question took place in the fourth quarter of the AFC North matchup, when Burfict was preparing for a tackle attempt on Le’Veon Bell. Smith-Schuster had other plans, though, as he came flying in with an illegal blindside block that sent the Bengals linebacker to the turf, which eventually led to him being carted off the field. Smith-Schuster was penalized for unnecessary roughness, as well as for taunting, which resulted from him standing over Burfict to rub it in afterward.

The NFL world has since been buzzing about Smith-Schuster’s cheap shot, with a number of current and former players taking to Twitter to weigh in about it. Here are some of the best reactions.

Former Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew compared Smith-Schuster’s hit to Rob Gronkowski’s elbow to the head of Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White. Gronk has since been suspended one game for the late hit.

Cardinals safety Budda Baker commented that the helmet-to-helmet hit George Iloka put on Antonio Brown in the end zone was worse than Smith-Schuster’s block, in his eyes.

Both Titans defensive tackle Antwaun Woods and former journeyman tackle George Foster commented that it reminded them of a hit Hines Ward once put on former Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers roughly nine years ago.

https://twitter.com/AntwaunWoods_/status/937907912810352640

Burfict’s teammate, cornerback William Jackson, was extremely critical of the cheap shot, as you might imagine.

Now that the NFL world has weighed in, it will be interesting to see how the league office feels about Smith-Schuster’s illegal blindside block.

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