Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward is apologizing after socking Justin Herbert in the stomach during Sunday Night Football … saying “there was nothing malicious behind it.”
The controversial play went down with just over 9 minutes left in the 4th quarter of the wild matchup … when 32-year-old Heyward chased Herbert down and tackled him after a 36-yard scramble.
After the play, Heyward remained on top of Herbert for several seconds … before Chargers WR Joshua Palmer rushed up to push him off. Both guys then got into a shoving match before Heyward unloaded the gut-punch on Herbert.
Cameron Heyward is a dirty player pic.twitter.com/X9WvjV0D0o
— Ben Brown (@BenBrownPL) November 22, 2021
@BenBrownPL
Heyward was hit with an unnecessary roughness penalty as a result of the play … and explained his side of things to reporters after the 41-37 loss.
“To be honest, I was running after the ball, and I caught my hand under, so when I was trying to get back up, I couldn’t get up, and I fell back on him.”
“I know it looks terrible, (but) there was nothing malicious behind it. I don’t think I was trying to punch him, but I know it looks worse than it is in slow motion. I’m sorry if I did anything to offend anybody.”
“I wish I had said more to Justin after, but there was nothing behind it.”
Herbert didn’t seem to mind the play — he even complimented Heyward’s toughness and said whatever happened on the field will stay there.
As for Heyward, he is facing a potential fine for the play.
