When it comes to smack talk, one Detroit Lions star safety isn’t holding back. He took aim at Matthew Stafford, calling him out for the “dirty player” narrative.
Apparently, the safety’s got his own corner of the field, and he’s not afraid to defend it, especially when it comes to defending his team’s honor.
Kerby Joseph Fires Back at Matthew Stafford’s ‘Dirty’ Label
Kerby Joseph isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to his reputation. After being labeled a “dirty player” due to his controversial hits on T.J. Hockenson and Tyler Higbee, Joseph fired back at Stafford.
The Los Angeles Rams QB was vocal after Joseph’s low hit on Higbee during a playoff game, calling the safety “dirty as [expletive]” on a mic’d-up moment.
Fast forward, and Joseph is done letting Stafford shape his narrative. “The people complaining about dirty hits, they’re just soft,” Joseph shot back in an interview. “They don’t know football. I really feel like I got that narrative because old boy want to come and talk crazy because he’s mic’d up and stuff like that. I really feel like that ain’t nothing, bro.”
#Lions S Kerby Joseph on being labeled "dirty": "I don't care about nobody's opinion, for real. … This is football. When you sign up to play this game, you sign up for injuries. … The people complaining about dirty hits—they just soft. They don't know football. I feel like I… https://t.co/NBnC5FZVEn pic.twitter.com/EsuudqM2bY
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 14, 2025
Joseph has a point. He led the NFL with nine interceptions this season and earned first-team All-Pro honors. Still, there’s no denying some of his low hits have raised concerns.
“If you’ve seen it all on film, why’d you throw the ball across the middle?” he questioned. “You know I own that part of the field, so don’t come across the middle. If you don’t want to get hurt, don’t catch the ball.”
The Lions and Rams could square off in the NFC title game, and it’s safe to say the stakes (and emotions) will be high if these two teams meet again.
As for Stafford, he dedicated the Rams’ playoff win to the people of L.A. amid the devastating wildfires.
Stafford Leads Rams Past Vikings, Dedicates Win to L.A. Amid Wildfires
No home-field advantage? No problem. The Rams rolled past the Minnesota Vikings, 27-9, even though their Wild Card showdown was relocated from SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium due to the wildfires tearing through Los Angeles. Stafford didn’t make a splash with stats, but he made it count with two early TDs to give L.A. a commanding 24-3 halftime lead.
After the game, he took a moment to remind everyone of the bigger picture. Speaking to ESPN’s Lisa Salters, he mentioned how the Rams’ journey wasn’t just about football but about battling for something greater than themselves.
While the fires disrupted the Rams’ prep, Stafford gave credit to the organization for staying cool under pressure. With the win in the bag, it’s now on to the Philadelphia Eagles — the teams play on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 3:00 p.m. ET.