Ahmad Brooks defends hit on Brees, calls football ‘watered down’
By Mike Dyce
One of the most controversial calls of the week had a big impact on the result of the game. The San Francisco 49ers were holding a 20-17 lead over the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter on Sunday.
On third and two, from the San Francisco 35-yard line the Saints were trying to keep their drive alive. That is when 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks made a big play. He came through and sacked Drew Brees in an incredibly violent looking hit, at least in super slow-mo.
The hit also forced a fumble, and 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis recovered the ball. It was a huge stop and play, if it weren’t for that yellow flag. Brooks was flagged on the play for a blow to the head and neck area of a quarterback. That gave the Saints back the ball and 15 yards from the spot of the foul.
Brooks defended his hit on Brees and called football “watered down.”
“I didn’t hit him with my hand or my helmet,” Brooks said, via the San Francisco Chronicle. “I basically bear-hugged him. That’s just how football is played. I think this s— is b——-. Football, the way they call stuff these days, it’s watered down. It ain’t real no more. … “It was at home. It was Drew Brees. And maybe the officials were for the New Orleans Saints a little bit more than the 49ers. I think it’s B.S., man.”
If you watch the slow-mo replay, there is some truth to what Brooks says. He comes into the tackle on Brees right side with his arm across his chest. It is the follow through, as Brooks momentum carries him past Brees, that causes his arm to shift up and around Brees’ neck.
The Saints finished off that drive with a field goal that tied the game at 20 points.
