Indianapolis Colts head coach Jeff Saturday ripped into New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, referring to his post-sack celebration as “tasteless” and “trash.”
Thibodeaux landed a second-quarter hit on Colts quarterback Nick Foles — and then landed on him as they both crashed to the ground. But while Foles struggled on his back on the field, Thibodeaux celebrated just inches away, making fake snow angels even as Foles’ teammates rushed to his side.
Foles was later taken off the field on a medical cart — and Thibodeaux claimed that he hadn’t realized the quarterback was injured until after he had finished with his snow angels.
“After a sack, you celebrate … I think when I did realize he was hurt, that’s when we started getting up. When you are doing the celebration, you are not looking to see who is doing what. I hope he gets well and I hope he is all right,” he said.
But not everyone was buying Thibodoeaux’s claim. Josh Reynolds tweeted, “Say what you want, this went on waaaay too long … 10 full blown snow angels. There’s absolutely 0% chance that Thibodeaux didn’t know Foles was hurt. He even gives him a glance after his 6th. Absolute [clown].”
Say what you want, this went on waaaay too long… 10 full blown snow angels. There’s absolutely 0% chance that Thibodeaux didn’t know Foles was hurt. He even gives him a glance after his 6th.
Absolute 🤡pic.twitter.com/ZWYp3GqlNY
— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) January 2, 2023
Saturday made his feelings clear on the issue when he was asked Monday about the post-sack revelry.
“Tasteless from the celebration afterwards, you know, trash. Not a fan of it at all,” he said. Saturday, who played center for the Colts for more than a decade himself, also turned on his own team a bit and suggested that perhaps they should have jumped in to put a stop to the midfield celebration.
“Disappointed from the O-line perspective and for teammates in general. We protect our own man. Y’all know me. I’ve been around here for a long time, so you know, I’m just gonna tread lightly. Obviously, I did not like it at all,” he explained.
#Colts interim coach Jeff Saturday tells reporters that, 1. Nick Foles is "really sore" and won't play. 2. Sam Ehlinger will start. 3. Kayvon Thibodeaux is "tasteless" and "trash" for his snow angel celebration. 4. He's upset his linemen didn't take matters into their own hands.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 2, 2023
Saturday also revealed that Foles was still sore from the hit and would not play in the Colts’ final game against the Houston Texans. “Obviously, he took a massive shot there and landed on the ball. So, a lot of pain and he’ll be down this week,” he said.
Sam Ehlinger is expected to start.
