Chase Winovich previously called out 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for flopping when taking a shove from the Patriots edge rusher. But it turns out that Winovich also likes to dabble in the fine arts.
He pulled an obvious one against the Cardinals last Sunday, arguably far worse than Garoppolo’s Superman dive. Winovich intentionally took a delayed backward tumble to the turf after a play, in an effort to draw a personal foul flag on a harmless shove by the Cardinals’ Justin Pugh. His plan did not work, so obviously he needs to refine his acting skills.
Not only did Winovich openly admit to the flop in his newest call on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand, he cracked some jokes about his Hollywood act.
“If it’s for 15 yards, I’m like Leonardo DiCaprio out there,” Winovich said. “I’m fine. I’m selling out for it.” He also likened his egregious attempt to draw a flag to an elegant swan dive.
It's over. This will never be topped.
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) December 1, 2020
Chase Winovich, ladies and gents. pic.twitter.com/0i8VkB8sXD
Flopping is frowned upon by many fans across sports for a perceived lack of integrity or sportsmanship that it projects. But people who flop regularly – and it sounds like Winovich is going to be one of those players – see it as nothing more than smart strategy or gamesmanship. There’s no specific penalty for a flop, thus no on-field harm in doing so.
It may get Winovich some scolding within Gillette Stadium, though. But Winovich denied that he heard anything from the team about the flop after the game.
MORE: Listen to more Chase Winovich on Zolak & Bertrand
Winovich also talked with Zolak & Bertrand about the progress of him and the rest of the Patriots’ front-seven this season, and also delved into conspiracy theories involving D.B. Cooper, The Tupac & Biggie shootings, and Chernobyl. Listen above for the full interview.
Listen to Zolak and Bertrand weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub.