Former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan was a guest on ESPN’s ‘Get Up’ today and did not hold back on his criticism of former Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Amid other angry moments Ryan had about other Alabama alum, such as Tua Tagovailoa, he went on to criticize the new contract Cooper had signed with the Dallas Cowboys.
"[Amari Cooper] is the biggest disappearing act in the National Football League. … I wouldn't have paid this turd."
—Rex Ryan pic.twitter.com/A8gzRJqBnD
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 3, 2020
Ryan claims he would not have paid Cooper the 5-year $100 million deal because he is a “disappearing act.”
The point in which many people believe he crossed the line is when he called the former Alabama star a “turd.”
A comment like this set people off on Twitter. Here’s what they had to say:
What has Amari Cooper done to deserve this personal attack? He’s a hard worker, played through injuries, and is a good teammate. Rex Ryan should apologize. https://t.co/rSHzKHdP73
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2020
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was quick to ask what Cooper had done to deserve such name calling.
This is wrong and over the line. You can be critical. But Cooper is a class act. Played through injuries all last season. Had the two most productive years of his career in Dallas. It is wrong and classless to call him a turd. https://t.co/Y3ZM5bt1jY
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) April 3, 2020
Clarence Hill, a Cowboys beat writer, jumped to Cooper’s defense and called Ryan’s comments “wrong and over the line.”
We’re not supposed to get personal with players, cheering for them etc., but we have some good guys that we do cover. Amari Cooper is one of those guys. For Rex Ryan to call him a turd is unprofessional and just doesn’t jive with the Cooper a lot of us have dealt with.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) April 3, 2020
An opinion is okay to express, but the need for name calling is not warranted.
Rex Ryan sitting there calling Amari Cooper a turd meanwhile Amari is sitting with his $100 million contract like: pic.twitter.com/N6l0VgvyS7
— Preston Perry (Ty Collins) (@LookThereItsTy) April 3, 2020
Cooper has remained quiet on this topic, and this might be why.
I really wish people could understand the kind of pain Amari Cooper played through last season.
Maybe then they could appreciate him so more.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 3, 2020
Played through injury and loves his team, Marcus tries to highlight what makes Cooper a special player.
I was absolutely stunned this morning to hear ESPN’s Rex Ryan refer to Amari Cooper as a “turd.” If Ryan doesn’t think he deserves the contract the Cowboys gave him, fine. To use that term though is totally out of line, in my opinion.
— Gary L. Harris (@garyharris_wvua) April 3, 2020
Ryan’s remarks may just be a better example of his character than Cooper’s playing abilities.
I don’t want to give the Rex Ryan video any more engagement than it already has, but whaaaat an absolute clown show.
Criticize Cooper’s play all you want, but gtfoh with that.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) April 3, 2020
David has got the right idea. Criticize, don’t antagonize.
Rex Ryan was 61-66 in his coaching career. He took a 5 year deal with Buffalo for 27.5 million dollars and was gone after 2 seasons. Who’s the turd? https://t.co/3GNZxAZcBq
— Matt McClearin (@McMatt1033) April 3, 2020
Matt is not holding back on his criticism of Ryan. If you can dish it out, you should be able to take it, right?
The fact espn promoted Rex Ryan calling amari Cooper a “turd” says a lot about them. If he said that about Brady I doubt it would be promoted all over their social media. This not first time Ryan has said suspect things and they just let it go. https://t.co/s4EQBVBCLD
— Robert Littal (@BSO) April 3, 2020
Robert calls out ESPN for their promotion of Ryan’s words and mentions bias towards certain popular figures in professional sports.
However, Ryan went back on ESPN’s SportsCenter to apologize for his comments.
Rex Ryan apologizes for calling Amari Cooper "a turd" https://t.co/0R3tsZWw0l
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 3, 2020
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