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New England Patriots

Did Mac Jones make a ‘dirty play’ against the Panthers?

Alex Barth November 7th, 2021
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 07: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots calls a play at the line during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 07, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

Mac Jones may be just nine games into his NFL career, but is he already building a reputation as a ‘dirty’ player? If you ask Carolina Panthers linebacker Hasson Reddick, he’d say yes.

The play in question came late in the first quarter. Facing a 3rd & 5, Jones was strip sacked by Panthers defensive end Brian Burns. As Burns was in pursuit of the ball, Jones grabbed his ankle preventing him from recovering the fumble. Another Panthers player ended up recovering the fumble, and although Burns needed to leave the field with trainers, he’d return to the game.

“I definitely thought it was a dirty play. I actually saw and witnessed the play while it was happening as I was running, I saw him over there,” Reddick told reporters when asked about the play after the game. “At first it looked like he was trying to trip or kick Burns and then the next thing you know I noticed I saw him tugging on Burns ankle. I thought it was completely dirty. Hopefully it’s something that the league addresses.”

Reddick wasn’t the only person to feel that way. A number of people on social media reacted to the play calling out Jones for the grab. One fan went as far as comparing Jones to former Duke basketball star Grayson Allen.

Granted, Allen built up a negative reputation over several years of tripping and spitting on players, among other things. Jones made one questionable play that by rule is a penalty, but just wasn’t called.

Is that too much of a stretch? Or does Jones have a Brad Marchand/Marcus Smart-esque nasty streak that we’ve yet to see? Only time will tell.

MORE: Patriots-Panthers Ups & Downs

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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