Browns’ Donte Whitner levels the Lions’ Theo Riddick after a catch (GIF)
By Jack Crosby
Browns safety Donte Whitner is one of the most feared defenders in the game of football, period. There’s a reason that his nickname is “Hitner,” and he proved that right off the bat in the team’s preseason opener on Saturday night against the Cleveland Browns.
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Late in the first quarter with the Lions driving down the field, Riddick caught a pass over the center of the field, and in typical Whitner fashion, he made him pay for catching that football from backup QB Dan Orlovsky.
You can watch the video of the vicious hit, via the guys at GIFDSports, by simply clicking here.
What was probably the most surprising aspect of this whole play is the fact that there was not a flag thrown on the play. The Lions were looking for one right after the hit took place, but they were not obliged by the referees.
But after looking at the hit, there was really nothing wrong with it. Whitner dod a good job of leading with the shoulder, and Riddick was just in the wrong position, at the wrong time with the wrong person.
It was with hits like this where Whitner made a name for himself with the Buffalo Bills, and he has continued the trend with the Browns.