The Colts forcing a fumble in overtime led to Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling receiving death threats from fans.
For the last month, we’ve been demanding that fans and media pundits give the Indianapolis Colts the respect they deserve. Though some folks will still discredit the win, our prayers were finally answered on Sunday after they disposed of the NFC juggernaut Green Bay Packers in an overtime classic.
The Colts found themselves down two scores at halftime and ultimately stormed back to take a 31-28 lead nearly midway through the fourth quarter. However, after some stalled drives and questionable refereeing, Green Bay managed to send things to overtime after converting a chip shot field goal with just three ticks remaining in regulation.
In overtime, justice ultimately prevailed as rookie safety Julian Blackmon forced a fumble of Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on their first possession, setting Indy up with a short field. The Colts would capitalize in the form of a 39-yard game-winning FG.
It was an objectively excellent game from both teams, but that unfortunately wasn’t what nabbed headlines in the aftermath, as Valdes-Scantling took to Twitter in disturbing fashion to disclose that he received death threats from fans in the wake of his costly fumble.
Death threats over a football game? Jesus you people need help. It’s actually sick. I’m good. My team got my back. ✊🏾
— Marquez V-S (@MVS__11) November 23, 2020
This is so discomforting and it unfortunately encapsulates the ugly side of sports fandom and social media. We really don’t have to dive in how sick it is to wish death upon a professional athlete for making a mistake, but it’s especially alarming when you consider that the Packers likely would’ve lost if not for Valdes-Scantling.
Not only did he draw a huge pass interference call that set up a touchdown that put Green Bay up two scores with less than 20 seconds remaining in the first half, but he hauled in a 47-yard bomb from Aaron Rodgers on a 3rd-and-10 late in the fourth quarter that helped set up Mason Crosby’s game-tying field goal. If not for that catch, who knows what happens on fourth down.
Now, did his fumble cost the Packers a chance at winning the game? No doubt. But cut the guy a little bit of slack. It’d be one thing to fill his mentions with abusive verbiage — which is indefensible regardless of what happened — but to send him death threats? There’s no place for that in any walk of life.
Matt LaFleur: "All the confidence in the world" in Marquez Valdes-Scantling https://t.co/hoPFQffGxU
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 23, 2020
It’s encouraging to know that head coach Matt LaFleur and the Packers as an organization have showered Vadles-Scantling with love and support after he made this news public, and we fully believe that he will bounce back with a heroic performance against the Bears in Week 12.
Who knows, maybe Julian Blackmon will back the Packers wideout this week after hearing about this.
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