The Seahawks may have walked away with the wild card win on Sunday in a 17-9 victory over the Eagles, but an early-game hit by the Seahawks' star defensive end on the Eagles' quarterback seems to be the only thing people are talking about Monday morning.
During the first quarter of the final NFC Wild Card game, Clowney hit Eagles quarterback, Carson Wentz, in a helmet-to-helmet hit, knocking Wentz out of the game with a head injury. In a post-game interview with ESPN's Josina Anderson, Clowney said he hadn't been trying to intentionally hurt anyone and that he was playing the game with "a lot of enthusiasm and effort."
He also said he expected blowback from Eagles fans about the hit.
"There might be death threats," Clowney said, adding that the people who attend games at Lincoln Financial Field are the "worst fans in the world."
"I was just playing fast, and he turned like he was running the ball, so I was trying to get him down," Clowney told reporters. "It was a bang-bang play. I don't intend to hurt anybody in this league, let me just put that out there. I've been down the injury road; it's not fun.
"That's a great player over there for their team and for their organization. I hope he's OK. Like I said, I didn't intend to hurt him. I didn't even know he went out of the game until the next series. I thought it was just a small hit, but everybody was going crazy on the sidelines. I was just trying to finish the play, but it happened."
In a post on Instagram Monday, Wentz reassured fans that he was feeling better and that he was "so dang proud of this team."
"So dang proud of this team and how we battled and overcame so much this season. Not the ending we envisioned but we will all grow and be stronger because of it! The fight and resiliency that this team displayed was so impressive. Love these guys!
"Also, appreciate the thoughts and prayers— Im feeling good today and will be just fine! Head injuries are a scary thing so I appreciate everybody’s thoughts and prayers. Hate not being out there to finish it out with my guys because of a play like that, but it’s the unfortunate part of this game," Wentz wrote. "It’s all in Gods plan, not mine! Trusting in him Philly, year 4 was one fun ride. Appreciate the love and support— especially the real ones who were with us through the highs and lows Onward to next year... big things comin’, believe that! #flyeaglesfly"