Buccaneers’ Gerald McCoy Defends His On-Field Sportsmanship

By Mike Dyce | Oct 14, 2014

Sep 14, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) gets the crowd pumped up during the first quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

It seems like sometimes you can’t do anything right. In a society that seems to be overwhelmed with negative news and a league that has been shroud in negative press that a player, like Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, helping up opponents after plays and extending some sportsmanship would be well received.

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That hasn’t been the case with McCoy though, who has been criticized for those actions.

“While I’m talking about aggression, let me address something real quick,” McCoy said Tuesday, via ESPN.com. “This is the last time I’m going to talk about it. If anybody has a problem with me helping people up off the field, that’s a personal problem, something you’re going to have to deal with.”

McCoy continued: “If people really pay attention you would also notice that when the opposing team gets hurt, most of the time there’s one person who walks on the field every time and says a prayer. It’s me. That’s who I am. That’s who I’m going to be. If you don’t like it, get over it. I’m going to help people up because I’m a good sportsman.”

“Football is temporary. Sports are temporary. People have families, people have kids and wives and 10 years down the line, the next guy is going to be here and there’s going to be another guy to talk about. What about that guy that you were so concerned about how hard he’s going and he can’t play with his kids because he’s out there killing himself? That’s what I’m concerned about.”

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