Odell Beckham Jr. of the Giants and Josh Norman of the Panthers have been the topic of conversation following Sunday’s matchup. The two physically went at it for all 4 quarters of the game, racking up a total of 5 penalties together. Now after Beckham has been suspended for one game, new reports are providing possible context on what some say could have led to the debacle.
According to a source at ESPN, Beckham allegedly felt threatened by a pre-game stunt from the Carolina Panthers. A member of the Panthers’ practice squad carried a baseball bat onto the field during pre-game, but it was what happened after that reportedly set Beckham off. The player reportedly aimed the bat toward Beckham and allegedly began making derogatory remarks at the receiver, per ESPN sources. Because of the incident, sources say that Beckham “felt threatened” by the stunt. ESPN reports that an NFL films camera did capture corner Josh Norman with the bat as well, but says that Norman never partook in any encounter with Beckham.
However former NFL star, Deion Sanders, reportedly told the ‘Rich Eisen Show’ that Norman among others spewed “sexuality slurs” at Beckham. Anders also reportedly mentioned that a threat to end Odell’s career was made as well.
The bat is reportedly a reoccurring ritual for the Panthers during their pre-game warmup. Panthers corner Bene Benwikere tweeted that his teammates actually carry the bat as a symbol of him while he is injured. According to him, he carried the bat from the tunnel during Carolina’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
Sources: ESPN, FOX(picture)
