NFL rookie slammed over celebration after injuring rival QB

An NFL beast has been slammed after he rubbed salt in the wounds when his rival had to be stretchered off the field.

Kayvon Thibodeaux was happy with the sack. Photo: Twitter

It has been quite an eventful rookie season for Kayvon Thibodeaux, the personable and emotive outside linebacker who again came up big with a splash play for the Giants.

Thibodeaux made sure Colts quarterback Nick Foles did not make it to halftime of Sunday’s rousing 38-10 victory at MetLife Stadium.

A blindside sack of Foles late in the second quarter sent the veteran quarterback to the turf.

Thibodeaux also hit the turf, celebrating by doing a snow angel — which did not sit well with the Colts.

“Hopefully his teammates will — maybe one day he’ll learn that injuries happen in this league, you never want to happen to the guy that you’re going against,” Colts centre Ryan Kelly told reporters after the game. “That’s just horses – t.”

Thibodeaux said as he was celebrating he did not realise Foles was hurt and added he got to his feet and stopped celebrating when he noticed the Colts’ quarterback was down.

On the sideline, Thibodeaux put his hands together on the side of his face, a “night-night’’ gesture to the fans behind the Giants’ bench. It was sack No. 4 of the season for Thibodeaux.

Kayvon Thibodeaux with a VICIOUS sack 😳 pic.twitter.com/Qq1jznrJOQ

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) January 1, 2023

The cart came out for Foles, but he was eventually able to walk off the field. He did not return to the game, out with what the Colts described as a rib injury, with Sam Ehlinger moving in at quarterback in the second half.

“Hate it for him,’’ Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday said. “He was out there fighting, doing his best. You don’t want any player to … having to run out, definitely [not] when carts start coming out. I was happy at least he got up, moved off and he’s moving around the locker room, but obviously in a ton of pain.’’

“The crowd was electric,’’ Thibodeaux said. “I think that is what we are going to need moving forward. Whatever home games we do get, however we can travel, fans — y’all need to be there.’’

This was the final home game of the season for the Giants, unless they advance to the NFC Championship game to play the No. 7 seed in the conference.

This story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission.

Originally published as NFL rookie slammed over celebration after injuring rival QB