The LA Chargers defeated the New Orleans Saints in convincing fashion on Sunday to move to 4-3 on the season. While the final score was lopsided, it was not smooth sailing for the Chargers for all 60 minutes and there certainly was controversy.
New Orleans' Nathan Shepard got ahold of Justin Herbert's right leg as Herbert was dishing the ball out to running back J.K. Dobbins. With the ball being out of Herbert's hands for several beats, Shepard continued to gator roll, twisting viscously at Herbert's leg.
Center Bradley Bozeman saw this happening and instantly dove on Shepard, getting in his face while assumingly trading unpleasantries. Thankfully, that was the extent of the situation and nobody was hurt, but it could have been really ugly (especially for Herbert).
Bozeman was asked about the play following the Chargers' win and he did not hold back on going in on Shepard. It wasn't just a dirty play, it was one of the dirtiest plays Bozeman has ever seen.
#Chargers C Bradley Bozeman on Saints DL Nathan Shepherd's hit on QB Justin Herbert, "it was probably one of the dirtier plays I've ever seen."
— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) October 28, 2024
Bozeman added, "Protect your quarterback no matter what." pic.twitter.com/YJbbOEDcRX
Bradley Bozeman becomes a Chargers fan favorite by protecting Justin Herbert
Bozeman signed a one-year deal with the Chargers this past offseason after he was released by the Carolina Panthers. The former Raven has failed to live up to expectations and the fanbase was souring as a result.
That completely changed after Week 8. Bozeman proved that he is willing to protect his quarterback no matter what, with Herbert praising Bozeman after the game for stepping in and protecting him. Bozeman even received a game ball from Jim Harbaugh for his efforts and received the loudest applause of anyone who received one.
While nothing ultimately came of the play, it could have been a season-ender for the Bolts. Shepard was wrapped around the same right ankle Herbert injured earlier in the year. Everyone on the field knew Herbert recently suffered a sprained ankle, so it is really hard to pretend as if there was no intent.
And in the worst-case scenario, Herbert would have injured his ankle even more, resulting in him missing time (or even the rest of the season) because of Shepard's careless antics.
Just because Herbert is okay does not give the NFL an excuse to not hammer Shepard with punishment. If Derwin James got suspended one game for a questionable hit, Shepard deserves a multiple-game suspension for intentionally trying to target one of the game's premier quarterbacks.
There is no place for antics like this in football. Bozeman knows it, Chargers fans know it, and hopefully, the NFL knows it.