Clough: Broncos LB Marshall may get heat from NFL on Osweiler quote
Oct 19, 2016, 7:16 PM
With the Broncos facing off against Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler on Monday night for the time since he left Denver for a big payday in Houston this offseason, there’s been no shortage of chatter.
And perhaps the quote gathering the most steam across social media and news sites comes from Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall.
#Broncos @BMarshh54 said no ill will toward Brock. Happy got paid. “But it’s competition. We want to kill him.” @DenverChannel
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 17, 2016
The remarks follow suit with some of Marshall’s defensive teammates, but his word choice may land him in hot water, Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan’s Sandy Clough said Wednesday.
“I think it was an odd quote in the sense that he expressed on some level respect and admiration for Osweiler — basically nothing personal,” Clough said.
“But his choice of words, particularly considering his well-publicized stance during the course of the playing of the national anthem in the last six weeks, and even going back to the preseason, it doesn’t sit well with a lot of people.”
Marshall is among a sizable group of NFL players who have taken to kneeling or demonstrating during the national anthem before games in attempt to raise awareness on racial and social inequities.
And Clough — who believes Marshall didn’t believe mean the remarks to be taken literally or that he somehow threatened to go after or injure Oswiler — said the NFL league office may also take exception.
“That’s the kind of stuff the league will follow,” Clough said. “And I would imagine as surely as he would get fined for a cheap shot during the course of a game, and that has happened before with Brandon Marshall, he might get a notice that he will be fined on this occasion as well.”
It’s unclear how the NFL’s personal conduct policy may apply to the remarks, but players can be penalized during games for the “use of abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials, or representatives of the League,” per NFL rules.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @Johnnyhart7.