Early in the second quarter of Monday’s game between the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans, the Dolphins appeared to get a stop on third-and-10 to get their defense off the field.
Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb missed a sack on Titans quarterback Will Levis, who scrambled for a few yards before being hauled down short of the first down marker.
Chubb, seemingly still upset from not getting the sack, slammed his helmet down in frustration before getting off the field, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and giving the Titans a fresh set of downs.
Bradley Chubb with an all-timer bad penalty for the Dolphins.
He misses a sack on Will Levis on third down. Levis scrambles but doesn't get a first down.
Chubb slams his helmet in frustration on the field. That gives the Titans a first down. pic.twitter.com/b5wt25Bilf
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 12, 2023
Three plays later, Tennessee running back Derrick Henry rumbled into the end zone for a touchdown to tie the game at seven. The Titans would add a field goal later in the half to go into the locker room with a 10-7 lead.
Fans on social media had plenty to say about Chubb’s ill-timed penalty.
One fan said, “I mean you just can’t do that. One of the worst unnecessary penalties I’ve seen this year.”
I mean you just can’t do that. One of the worst unnecessary penalties I’ve seen this year.
— TomD (@TomD80106675) December 12, 2023
Another fan provided more context as to what made the penalty worse, saying, “This directly lead to 7 points instead of a field goal attempt. Dumb.”
This directly lead to 7 points instead of a field goal attempt. Dumb. https://t.co/AzAnC5LHEe
— Swarls Barkley (@phu800) December 12, 2023
Another said, “I tweeted this a couple weeks ago: NFL players are showing their incomprehensible ignorance by ripping off their helmets on the field. Chubb just showed us he’s a selfish idiot.”
I tweeted this a couple weeks ago: NFL players are showing their incomprehensible ignorance by ripping off their helmets on the field. Chubb just showed us he's a selfish idiot. https://t.co/SncamPIwNi
— RMC+ (@RMCPositive) December 12, 2023
Another fan wouldn’t be surprised if the NFL sends out a reminder against helmet slamming this week, saying, “NFL memo incoming this week about slamming helmets.”
NFL memo incoming this week about slamming helmets https://t.co/vR8IK8KvX9
— Kyle Smathers (@Kes8514) December 12, 2023
[Photo Credit: ESPN]
