Former All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman hailed Los Angeles Chargers center Bradley Bozeman as a hero after he rushed to the defense of quarterback Justin Herbert following a ‘dirty’ hit.
During the Chargers’ blowout 26-8 win over the New Orleans Saints last weekend, Herbert completed a dump-off pass to running back J.K. Dobbins in the second quarter. Well after the signal-caller had thrown the ball, defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd grabbed hold of his ankle and twisted him down to the ground.
Immediately after Herbert hit the turf, Bozeman dove headfirst into Shepherd and wrestled him off his quarterback. A shoving match ensued between the two players before officials were able to separate the pair and restore order.
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Addressing the incident following the game, Bozeman told reporters: “It was probably one of the dirtier plays I’ve ever seen, especially with my own eyes. The ball was gone two or three seconds and he’s still gator rolling, he’s on the ground, still gator rolling.
“Protect your quarterback no matter what. I think any offensive lineman in my position would’ve done the exact same thing. I had to get him off him.”
Bozeman’s actions against Richardson were applauded by Merriman, who played six seasons for the San Diego Chargers after they selected him with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. “I went out and I ordered a Bozeman jersey. I really did, and so did a lot of people,” he exclusively told Mirror Sports U.S.
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Shawne Merriman praised Bradley Bozeman for retaliating against Nathan Shepherd (
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“There’s just really no place for that … as a former defensive player, I’ve had quarterbacks wrapped up and I’ve realized that they might’ve thrown a ball already or something happened because no one else is around, right? It’s just you and him. So the ball has to be gone.”
As a result of the scuffle, both Bozeman and Shepherd were flagged for unnecessary roughness, marking the first time that the former has been assessed such a penalty. Though the offensive lineman’s retaliation cost his team 15 yards, Merriman asserted that it was necessary.
“It had to be done,” he said. “You had to send a message that you’re not going to do that to your quarterback. And it was just cheap, it’s not needed because you could seriously injure somebody like that. Having his legs tangled up, he falls the wrong way. You got his ankle and his ankle twists and dislocates.
“I’m in MMA. That is the closest thing you’ll get to an ankle lock, so it’s just not tolerated. Kudos to Bozeman for sticking up for one of his guys. I wouldn’t expect anything different.”
It remains to be seen what, if any, further punishment the NFL will hand down to Shepherd for his illegal hit. Merriman, for one, believes the league should take major disciplinary action.
“I think they will,” he said. “You want to make sure that these things are not tolerated down the road, even if it’s in a gray area with somebody like Shepherd. You want to make sure you send a message.
“Also, I hope the rest of the offensive line is chipping in on Bozeman’s fine or whatever he’s going to get because that was a team defense,” added Merriman, who’s bringing Lights Out Sports TV’s ‘The Ultimate Fan Zone’ to Buffalo this weekend. “This was a guy who was protecting the quarterback and you want to send a message to everyone else [that] this is not going to happen again from no other D-line or defensive player ever.”
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