New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman had a battle for the ages in Sunday afternoon’s 38-35 Panthers victory. The two went back-and-forth all game, resulting in multiple personal foul penalties, and this cheap shot from Beckham.
Odell Beckham Jr. should be suspended for this disgusting dirty play. https://t.co/KbAZYG8nD5 pic.twitter.com/ToM5RmSwsm
— SB Nation (@SBNation) December 20, 2015
Surprisingly, Beckham wasn’t ejected for that play and ultimately scored a game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter, going full Allen Iverson on Norman after making the catch.
Norman wasn’t happy after the game, going off on an expletive-based rant about the Giants wideout.
Josh Norman on Odell "F— him. He's a B***! Screw him and his whole set up"#NYGvsCAR
— Steve Overmyer (@OvermyerTV) December 20, 2015
"If he wants to be Michael Jackson and dance all over the place and not be a football player…I hope I pulled back his mask." -Norman
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) December 20, 2015
Norman says fine if Beckham wants to "dance and prance around like a ballerina," but he shouldn't try to be something he's not. ie, tough.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) December 20, 2015
Josh Norman still nearly foaming at mouth re:what transpired btwn him and Beckham. Said "110%" a defensive player would have been ejected.
— Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) December 20, 2015
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin scoffed at the idea of taking Beckham out of the game, despite the clear intent to injure Norman on his cheap shot.
Coughlin on Odell: "Did you want me to take him out of the game?"
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) December 20, 2015
He does admit, however, that Beckham got lost in the moment.
Coughlin on Odell: "He did lose his composure."
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) December 20, 2015
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton played peacemaker after the game, saying it was “obvious was [Beckham] did,” but that he’s “an unbelievable guy,” and “I just wanted to return the favor. it’s just all fun and games.” Newton hugged Beckham after the game.
https://vine.co/v/iK6wrQY65rD
Norman may be upset, but he should find solace in the fact that his Panthers improved to 14-0 with the victory. Beckham meanwhile will likely be fined or suspended as his Giants fell to 6-8 on the season and are on the outside of the NFC playoff race with two weeks remaining.
The two players won’t face off again until next season at the absolute earliest, and I’m sure tensions between the pair will still be high.
