Eric Berry Drops “B” Word Regarding His Injury

Added on Apr 18, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

The fallout from the Saints bounty program is being felt league-wide. With concrete proof that a professional team was doling out cash incentives for purposefully injuring players, some are wondering if bounties exist in more than one locker room. One such name, Chiefs safety Eric Berry, went so far as to suggest the Bills targeted him in the 2011 opener which ended his season with a torn ACL.

Berry didn’t make an outright accusation, but his tweet last month cracked open a bottle of controversy.

“Sometimes I sit n wonder if they had a bounty out on me … oh well … who cares. Either way u can’t hold me down.”

While it’s a tad extreme to insinuate a bounty was in place, Berry hasn’t been shy about voicing concerns that wide receiver Stevie Johnson’s low hit was intentional.

“They got the tape out there, you can make your own opinion,” Berry said. “I mean, my opinion is my opinion. People are going to take it how they want to take it anyway.

“To me, that’s in the past,” he said. “It is what it is.”

To clarify, the hit wasn’t flagged and was deemed legal by officials. However, blocks thrown at knees have always been on bone of contention among players. Considering commissioner Roger Goodell’s focus on decreasing injuries, it’s surprising the rules of low blocks haven’t been altered.

Berry is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for Chiefs training camp when it opens in late July. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his shredded knee, the rising star is eager to return to the field in 2012.

“I’ve always been motivated, but at the same time, I’ve never been away from the game so long,” he said. “I’m definitely excited, especially to be back with my teammates.”

Bottom line: serious injuries are going to happen with or without bounties. That’s not an excuse, it’s the reality of life in the NFL.

Source: ESPN.com