DENVER — NFL Network analyst Steve Smith Sr. did not mince words when criticizing Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy ahead of Thursday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Smith said he tried to talk to Jeudy before the game to apologize for calling him "just a guy" on Smith's podcast.
"When I saw him, I wanted to say to him face to face, 'I've said some things in the past I probably shouldn't have, and I'm sorry,'" Smith said.
Smith said Jeudy responded by cursing at him and saying "I don't mess with you."
Smith then went on to call Jeudy an "average wide receiver [...] that isn't doing anything."
"I hope today you actually show up in a way you haven't showed up in the last couple years since they drafted you," Smith said.
"When teams call me and ask me, 'Should they trade for you?' I will say, 'No, do not trade for Jerry Jeudy, because he is mentally unable to handle constructive criticism from people who watch specifically, 'Can he be a wide receiver?'" Smith added. "He can be a wide receiver, he's a tier three."
Jeudy then appeared dancing and yelling behind Smith:
After the game, Jeudy said he "didn't remember" the incident with Smith:
Jeudy's name has frequently been mentioned in trade rumors as the Broncos appear ready to tear apart the current roster and begin rebuilding.
Smith, who played 16 seasons for the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens, ranked seventh in NFL career all-purpose yards (19,180) and seventh in NFL career receiving yards (14,731) when he retired in 2016.
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