One of the most memorable moments from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 19-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys wasn’t a touchdown or a turnover, but an incredible pass protection rep from Bucs running back Leonard Fournette.
Tampa Bay’s top back lent a hand (or shoulder) to backup left tackle Josh Wells, who was in for the injured Donovan Smith, and was trying to keep Cowboys star pass rusher Micah Parsons at bay.
Fournette delivered a crushing blow to the unwitting Parsons, sending the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year off his feet and onto the ground.
Parsons wasn’t thrilled with the discourse on social media surrounding the hit, and when he voiced his displeasure, Fournette made it clear he wasn’t in the mood any whining (tweet contains profanity):
https://t.co/aY0u4LT1F0 pic.twitter.com/0WvlkmvaOS
— 7⃣ Leonard Fournette (@_fournette) September 12, 2022
Fellow sack artist Von Miller of the Buffalo Bills even came to Parsons’ defense after seeing the play:
This block must be taken out the game ! This is the future and we are just letting the offense tee off on our marquee pass rushers! You can get the job done without this much contact! https://t.co/alEmMzEehk
— Von Miller (@VonMiller) September 12, 2022
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles disagreed:
Asked about Leonard Fournette’s block on Micah Parsons, Bowles says it was a hard hit but a legal block and wasn’t flagged. pic.twitter.com/PNU0nZmvvP
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 12, 2022
Parsons did manage to bag two sacks Sunday night, but that was about as good as things got for the Cowboys, who didn’t score a single point after a field goal on their opening drive, and never made it past the Bucs’ 31-yard line.
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