Reggie Bush: I Was Wrong For TD Taunt (1 Viewer)

[jbird5150]

Bush leap: 'I was wrong'

Rookie apologizes after TD taunting

By Terry Bannon

Tribune staff reporter

January 21, 2007, 9:42 PM CST

Reggie Bush said he didn't intend to taunt Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher with his somersault into the end zone Sunday at the end of an 88-yard touchdown play. But he knew immediately he had to deal with it. He approached coach Sean Payton to talk.

"I got caught up in the emotion of the game," said Bush, who said he didn't know who was chasing him. "I was excited. I told coach Payton I apologize for it. I was wrong. I allowed my emotions to take over."

Said Payton: "It was a great play, but the first thing he said to me was, 'I shouldn't have done that.'"

Bush led the Saints with seven receptions for 132 yards.

Urlacher professed not to care much about the incident.

"We're going to the Super Bowl," he said.

Not all of Urlacher's teammates were as understanding.

Defensive lineman Adewale Ogunleye said Bush had "no class."

"I told Reggie that was unprofessional of him to do that." Ogunleye said. "I think he's going to be a hell of a player in this league. But for him to point back and taunt, that was no class. … I swear, I was a second away from punching him."

tabannon@tribune.com

Copyright © 2007, The Chicago Tribune

 

[parasaurolophus]

I have no problem with the flip. I hated that he pointed back at Urlacher.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Everybody was critical of Houston for taking Mario Williams over Bush, but now we know that they knew what they were doing. You don't see Mario taunting his opponents after making a big play, do you?

 

[MDSkinner]

Everybody was critical of Houston for taking Mario Williams over Bush, but now we know that they knew what they were doing. You don't see Mario taunting his opponents after making a big play, do you?

As a Bears fan, I must say - when has Mario Williams ever had a chance to taunt?Bush is a stellar athlete. That was one of the dumbest things he has ever done, but he will have plenty of opportunities in his career to not taunt people as he is flying into the end zone.

 

[PatsWillWin]

What the hell is up with NFL players becoming obsessed with saying the other team has "no class"?

They really just sound like a bunch of babies.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Everybody was critical of Houston for taking Mario Williams over Bush, but now we know that they knew what they were doing. You don't see Mario taunting his opponents after making a big play, do you?

As a Bears fan, I must say - when has Mario Williams ever had a chance to taunt?

 

[Sweeper]

He is a young player that got caught up in the moment of a huge play in a huge game.

To be honest, Bush seems like a good kid and doesn't appear to be a punk (at least from what I have seen). He still has a lot to learn but considering the play and the timing of that play and the game that he was in, it hardly seems headline-worthy to say that his adrenaline got the best of him for a moment.

 

[MDSkinner]

Everybody was critical of Houston for taking Mario Williams over Bush, but now we know that they knew what they were doing. You don't see Mario taunting his opponents after making a big play, do you?

As a Bears fan, I must say - when has Mario Williams ever had a chance to taunt?

Say what you want, Mario at this point in his career is not at the same level as Reggie Bush. The guy clearly improved towards the end of the season, but to say that he is on the same level as Reggie at this point in his career?And I am not even a fan of Reggie, but when it comes to big plays, IMO it is not close. And big plays are the kinds of plays where a guy will have a chance to taunt.

 

[guderian]

Let me get this straight. Bush was being chased by Brian "paternity suit" Urlacher and Tank "we aren't sure if the department of corrections will let you travel to Miami" Johnson and he's the one without class?

 

[saintsfan]

He shouldn't have done it, but I think people are making a bigger deal out of it than they should. I've heard people saying it "woke up the Bears defense."

The very next drive, we drove the ball right down their throats and missed a field goal. THAT was the turning point. The field position flipped on us at that point and the Bears took advantage.

 

[comfortably numb]

Everybody was critical of Houston for taking Mario Williams over Bush, but now we know that they knew what they were doing. You don't see Mario taunting his opponents after making a big play, do you?

FIXED

 

[Godsbrother]

What the hell is up with NFL players becoming obsessed with saying the other team has "no class"?They really just sound like a bunch of babies.

Calling NFL players a bunch of babies shows you have no class.

 

[Tenacious D]

I don't think there is a problem with the flip and dance, enough with the No Fun League already.

The pointing taunt, well, not as much unclassy as stupid. First, he had a pretty big head start on 54, and Urlacher still almost caught him from behind...I thought that was pretty impressive as opposed to taunt-worthy. Next, (1) you're still losing the game and (2) you still have a lot of time to play. Just dumb, but not something you'd say someone has no class over.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Everybody was critical of Houston for taking Mario Williams over Bush, but now we know that they knew what they were doing. You don't see Mario taunting his opponents after making a big play, do you?

FIXED

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I'm reminded of the old adage that you don't poke the bear from inside the cage.

 

[Da Guru]

I have no problem with the flip into the end zone..that was great. The pointing the finger was not a good thing to do.

Reggie got caught up in the moment of a huge play and he apologized for it. Accept it and move on.

 

[PsychoMan]

I was surprised to see Bush turn around and point before he hopped into the endzone. It definitely was not classy.

I pretty much agree with Adewale on this one. No doubt he's a great player, but it's crappy for one so gifted to feel the need to taunt his opponents when he makes big plays.

I hope he learns from this (and I think he will) and never does it again. I just love seeing guys like Marvin & LT2 score, then turn around with their heads down and run to the sideline.

 

[JAA]

at least he appologized for it

 

[Chaos Commish]

Everybody was critical of Houston for taking Mario Williams over Bush, but now we know that they knew what they were doing. You don't see Mario taunting his opponents after making a big play, do you?

As a Bears fan, I must say - when has Mario Williams ever had a chance to taunt?

Say what you want, Mario at this point in his career is not at the same level as Reggie Bush. The guy clearly improved towards the end of the season, but to say that he is on the same level as Reggie at this point in his career?And I am not even a fan of Reggie, but when it comes to big plays, IMO it is not close. And big plays are the kinds of plays where a guy will have a chance to taunt.

Even though the others didn't, I got it Ivan.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Urlacher still almost caught him from behind...I thought that was pretty impressive as opposed to taunt-worthy.

I wouldn't say he almost caught him. Bush was going diagonal giving Brian an angle, but sheesh, for about five strides he was closing after he blew past his own DBs. Urlacher is still the uberfreak.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

I enjoyed the showmanship of Bush on that play.

Face it, he's a modern day Eric Metcalf. A WR playing the RB position. Nothing more. Enjoy the offseason Slappy.

 

[Chaos Commish]

For those less familiar, taunting is way out of character for Bush. He mostly did the Barry thing in college with a gesture to the Bush Boosters in the stands. Hand the ball to the ref, give credit to his supporters, head for the sidelines.

 

[redman]

Everybody was critical of Houston for taking Mario Williams over Bush, but now we know that they knew what they were doing. You don't see Mario taunting his opponents after making a big play, do you?

As a Bears fan, I must say - when has Mario Williams ever had a chance to taunt?

Some people on this board are simply blind to sarcasm.

It's very amusing. (<--------- not being sarcastic here.) (<------------- I was being sarcastic here.)

 

[MDSkinner]

Everybody was critical of Houston for taking Mario Williams over Bush, but now we know that they knew what they were doing. You don't see Mario taunting his opponents after making a big play, do you?

As a Bears fan, I must say - when has Mario Williams ever had a chance to taunt?

Some people on this board are simply blind to sarcasm.

It's very amusing. (<--------- not being sarcastic here.) (<------------- I was being sarcastic here.)

What can I say, I am a #######.

 

[diesel7982]

Everybody was critical of Houston for taking Mario Williams over Bush, but now we know that they knew what they were doing. You don't see Mario taunting his opponents after making a big play, do you?

As a Bears fan, I must say - when has Mario Williams ever had a chance to taunt?

Say what you want, Mario at this point in his career is not at the same level as Reggie Bush. The guy clearly improved towards the end of the season, but to say that he is on the same level as Reggie at this point in his career?And I am not even a fan of Reggie, but when it comes to big plays, IMO it is not close. And big plays are the kinds of plays where a guy will have a chance to taunt.

Even though the others didn't, I got it Ivan.

Poor MDSkinner, he missed a good joke.

 

[Pygmy Marmoset]

Good. If the rook can learn from that and become a better player and better sportsman, he'll improve in the facet of the game I think he needs the most work in to make it in this league and this city: humility.

That play really ticked me off as much as it pumped me up. I'm glad he apologized immediately.

 

[Silver & Black]

Man, people need to unbunch their panties.

Bush clearly got caught up in the heat of the moment, did something he immediately regretted and apologized for it, both to the other side and to his own coach. He's young and got caught up in the moment.

Lighten up.

 

[dickey moe]

If he keeps doing that, one of these days he's gonna break his neck.

 

[DPRugby]

I agree that he just got caught up in the emotion of the game. He was pretty classy near the end of the game, I saw him congradulating alot of Bears players with about 3 minutes left in the game and for him to come out later and admit he was wrong to taunt shows the guys got his head on pretty straight. I'll give him a huge pass on this one.

BTW: Urlacher was gaining and is a freak of nature.

 

[noneother]

If he keeps doing that, one of these days he's gonna break his neck.

or his clavicle

 

[LHUCKS]

What the hell is up with NFL players becoming obsessed with saying the other team has "no class"?They really just sound like a bunch of babies.

Exactly.

 

[MDSkinner]

Everybody was critical of Houston for taking Mario Williams over Bush, but now we know that they knew what they were doing. You don't see Mario taunting his opponents after making a big play, do you?

As a Bears fan, I must say - when has Mario Williams ever had a chance to taunt?

Say what you want, Mario at this point in his career is not at the same level as Reggie Bush. The guy clearly improved towards the end of the season, but to say that he is on the same level as Reggie at this point in his career?And I am not even a fan of Reggie, but when it comes to big plays, IMO it is not close. And big plays are the kinds of plays where a guy will have a chance to taunt.

Even though the others didn't, I got it Ivan.

Poor MDSkinner, he missed a good joke.

I definitely did.

 

[billymays]

i know of an NFL player who met vince young and reggie bush in NY before the draft. he was asked how they were, he said "VY is huge you dont realize how big the guy is......and bush is the biggest d### ive ever met."

take it for what its worth but this was a peer, its not like it was some 50 year old man trying to get him to sign a jersey or something. he doesnt come across like a jackass to me but he looks like he might be a little arrogant.

some kid got his ### chewed by dan reeves and a 15 yard penalty in the east/west shrine game for the exact same thing. i think bush should have got one too.

 

[John Mamula]

i'm shocked any of the bears saw him taunt he was so far away from them.

i thought it was AWESOME.

 

[The Carnage]

If he keeps doing that, one of these days he's gonna break his neck.

I'm surprised I had to scroll down so far to find this. If I were Payton I would have reamed him a new one when he got to the sidelines. It's bad enough to do that sort of thing under good conditions, but the way players were slipping out there it made the chance for injury even worse. He needs to realize that he is a big part of the offense and that will only grow from here. To risk a stupid injury showboating is inexcusable. If he wants to dance in the endzone, bring in portable spotlights, his coreograph coach, etc, I don't care as long as he doesn't hurt himself. Then I'd have said "Nice TD."

 

[whoknew]

BTW: Urlacher was gaining and is a freak of nature.

This was the most amazing part of the play. For a few steps, Urlacher was gaining on Bush. He FLEW by the CHI DBs.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Everybody was critical of Houston for taking Mario Williams over Bush, but now we know that they knew what they were doing. You don't see Mario taunting his opponents after making a big play, do you?

As a Bears fan, I must say - when has Mario Williams ever had a chance to taunt?

Say what you want, Mario at this point in his career is not at the same level as Reggie Bush. The guy clearly improved towards the end of the season, but to say that he is on the same level as Reggie at this point in his career?And I am not even a fan of Reggie, but when it comes to big plays, IMO it is not close. And big plays are the kinds of plays where a guy will have a chance to taunt.

Even though the others didn't, I got it Ivan. :X

Thank you. I'm glad my work doesn't go completely unappreciated.

 

[Jagerbomber]

Let me get this straight. Bush was being chased by Brian "paternity suit" Urlacher and Tank "we aren't sure if the department of corrections will let you travel to Miami" Johnson and he's the one without class?

Let's not forget Denny's L.A. Customer of the Year = Ricky Manning Jr.

 

[Moldy Potato]

Why is there no mention of Devin Hester and his taunting against the Rams in this story or in this thread?

I don't ever remember that being a big story.

Why is this?

 

[Hamstring]

Hester actually won the game.

 

[jestertj]

Ogunleye said. "… I swear, I was a second away from punching him."

That's a very classy thing to say.

 

[billymays]

Let me get this straight. Bush was being chased by Brian "paternity suit" Urlacher and Tank "we aren't sure if the department of corrections will let you travel to Miami" Johnson and he's the one without class?

Let's not forget Denny's L.A. Customer of the Year = Ricky Manning Jr.

so let me get this straight, you guys are saying Urlacher is classless

 

[dgreen]

BTW: Urlacher was gaining and is a freak of nature.

This was the most amazing part of the play. For a few steps, Urlacher was gaining on Bush. He FLEW by the CHI DBs.

Urlacher gained a few steps on Bush when Bush cut across Urlacher's path. And, he also gained a little when Bush took his foot off the pedal. I agree Urlacher was outrunning his teammates, but his speed is not what brought him closer to Bush.

 

[Hamstring]

Urlacher must be, he likes to have sex with women.

 

[billymays]

BTW: Urlacher was gaining and is a freak of nature.

This was the most amazing part of the play. For a few steps, Urlacher was gaining on Bush. He FLEW by the CHI DBs.

Urlacher gained a few steps on Bush when Bush cut across Urlacher's path. And, he also gained a little when Bush took his foot off the pedal. I agree Urlacher was outrunning his teammates, but his speed is not what brought him closer to Bush.

i think that too, he was fast but he will never catch bush. one thing that was nice to see is urlacher was all the way on the other side of the field and busted his ### the second bush started taking off, where as briggs, who wants to get a bigger contract than urlacher, was on the same side of the field as bush and totally half assed it. i think he could have made a tackle around the time bush cut into the open field if he would have given a better effort. if you see a replay watch briggs at the beginning.

 

[PsychoMan]

Why is there no mention of Devin Hester and his taunting against the Rams in this story or in this thread?I don't ever remember that being a big story. Why is this?

I heard plenty about the Hester taunting. I, myself, said I didn't like it either and was pissed when I saw him do it. It was also classless. I'm pretty sure Bush isn't being singled out here ... pointing at someone chasing after you as you gallop into the endzone just isn't cool --in anyone's case.

 

[Two Deep]

As a Bears fan I have completely dicounted that play anyway as it was clearly an illegal pick. The wide receiver clearly paused and leaned into the defensive player to shake Bush loose.

 

[guderian]

As a Bears fan I have completely dicounted that play anyway as it was clearly an illegal pick. The wide receiver clearly paused and leaned into the defensive player to shake Bush loose.

I don't think I'd make a note of officiating since the Bears didn't have a single penalty called on them until 7 minutes to go in the game. The refs were clearly letting them play. On the end around in the first quarter, the Bears WR pulled the cloth a good 12 inches off of our CB as he was trying to get to the player that was running the end around--first down Bears. Same thing happened on I think it was Jones' TD run. Clark had a good grasp of our CB who couldn't manage to pull away to get to Jones. Fact is they were letting them play and called it the same way for both teams.

 

[DoubleG]

I'm reminded of the old adage that you don't poke the bear from inside the cage.

 

[BigA]

He was set straight..