Kayvon Thibodeaux has been vilified for his controversial “snow angel” celebration Sunday, but the New York Giants pass rusher calmly defended his actions Wednesday.
In case you missed it, Thibodeaux sacked Indianapolis Colts quarterback Nick Foles just before halftime, then immediately celebrated by doing a snow angel. The problem: Foles remained down on the ground right beside him, in obvious distress, as Colts staff rushed out to check on him.
Kayvon Thibodeaux with a HUGE 3rd down sack and then the snow-angel to top it off 😎 #NYG pic.twitter.com/LfoxHwL1UR
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) January 1, 2023
The Giants rookie said after the game he did not realize Foles had been shaken up, yet he drew the wrath of NFL fans, reporters and Colts players for his behavior (including a little “go-to-sleep” gesture afterward on the sideline). Colts coach Jeff Saturday blasted Thibodeaux’s actions as “tasteless and trash.”
Thibodeaux once again said on Wednesday he did not know Foles had been hurt.
“So what am I supposed to do now? Every time I sack a quarterback, stop and look and make sure and help him up?’’ Thibodeaux said (via the New York Post). “You don’t play the game for anybody to get injured.
“But I play defense. They brought me here to be a savage and to take over the game and to impact the game. We preach impacting the game is affecting the quarterback and that’s what I’m here to do.’’
When pressed on Saturday’s comments in particular, Thibodeaux said, “I don’t know who he is. … Unless I know who they are, it doesn’t really affect me.”
Kayvon Thibodeaux on Jeff Saturday calling his snow angel celebration "tasteless and trash."
"I don't know who he is. … Unless I know who they are, it doesn't really affect me."
Thibodeaux also said he didn't know Foles was hurt.
(🎥 @snygiants)pic.twitter.com/aqB32HNvKo
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 4, 2023
