Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Dashon Goldson said Wednesday that he feels "targeted" by the NFL recently and that his label as a "dirty player" is "ridiculous," according to ESPN's Pat Yasinskas. Goldson was suspended for one game earlier this season for an illegal hit and will be facing his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, this Sunday. He added:
Dashon Goldson believes ‘dirty player’ label is ‘ridiculous’
The Bucs free safety was suspended earlier this year for an illegal hit, but doesn’t appreciate being called “dirty.”
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
“Now with the new rule, you do have some of those guys, as far as coaches, who complain about hits. And they’re the same guys I’m sure who are teaching their players how to hit and congratulating them when they make a big hit.”
Goldson avoided a suspension earlier in the season for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Jaron Brown, but he is someone the league is keeping a close eye on.
The Bucs signed Goldson to a five-year, $41.25 million contract in the offseason to help shore up their pass defense, in addition to trading for All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis. Tampa Bay leads the league with 21 interceptions this season. Though Goldson only has one of his own, his presence is certainly felt on the field and perhaps the fear of a big hit from the safety could have targets going in the direction of his teammates.
He just doesn’t believe his play is “dirty.”
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