Mac Jones denies ‘dirty player’ label despite mounting evidence

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones denies claims that he’s a dirty player after his low tackle on Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple in Week 16.

The New England Patriots haven’t had the greatest two weeks of the 2022 NFL season. They lost to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15 after an ill-fated lateral that was ruled a fumble return touchdown on the final play of regulation. Then in Week 16, they once again suffered a loss, this time to the Cincinnati Bengals.

As the Bengals game was taking place, there was a lot of criticism directed toward Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. As Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt was returning a fumble that was later called back, Jones made a low block on cornerback Eli Apple. That once again opened the discussion of whether the second-year quarterback was a “dirty player.”

During an appearance on WEEI in Boston on Tuesday, Jones said that he’s not a dirty player, saying there was “definitely no intention to hurt anybody on that play.”

https://twitter.com/WEEI/status/1607751484514439168?cxt=HHwWgMC4mZ_d8M8sAAAA

Mac Jones denies claims that he’s a ‘dirty player’

“I went down in front of him to kind of get in the way to stop him from slowing down Tyquan, who obviously could make the tackle there,” Jones said, h/t Sports Illustrated. “So, just kind of went down in front of him, trying to stop a fast guy from getting to another fast guy. It’s a split-second decision and there’s a lot that goes into it. You’re out there trying to compete, and it’s a physical game. So just trying to help the team win.”

According to ProFootballTalk, Jones will be fined $11,139 for his low block on Apple.

Apple wasn’t happy with Jones’ actions, calling him a dirty player. Here’s what he said postgame, courtesy of Sean T. McGuire of NESN.

This isn’t the first time that Jones has been the subject of criticism for his play on the field. Back in 2021, Jones grabbed Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns by the ankle and appeared to gator roll him, which resulted in an injury.

Then in Week 7 against the Chicago Bears, Jones made two questionable slides on scrambles, both of which were toward safety Jaquan Brisker. On one, it looked like Jones kicked Brisker in the leg. On the second one, Jones foot lifted upwards and hit Brisker in the groin.

Jones wasn’t disciplined for any of the aforementioned three plays. But for his block on Apple, he is reportedly receiving a five-figure fine. As for the calls of him being a dirty player, Jones is adamant that that isn’t the case.