The Cincinnati Bengals went into Sunday’s AFC divisional round matchup against the Bills with a chip on their shoulders. They thought the NFL wanted to have a lucrative neutral site game between the Chiefs and Bills, and they were thrilled to spoil those plans.
Eli Apple has particularly enjoyed watching the Bills’ drama unfold since Buffalo’s loss, and in true Eli Apple fashion, he has trolled Stefon Diggs on social media.
But one tweet, in particular, caught the attention of NFL fans and Shaq Lawson, and come Tuesday, Apple felt it was necessary to clarify his tweet. On Monday night, Apple tweeted to Diggs, “Cancun on 3.” While it was a reference to Patrick Beverly’s trash talk from a few years ago (a way of saying enjoy your offseason), the number 3 and the heart-hands emoji had many seeing a veiled connection to Damar Hamlin.
Cancun on 3 🫶🏿 https://t.co/oOHSw1AMsT
— Eli Apple (@EliApple) January 24, 2023
Since Hamlin’s injury, the Bills safety has used that emoji as a symbol of his recovery and gratitude. It was also the first time Apple had used the emoji in a tweet.
Backlash over the possible connection to Hamlin was enough to have Apple explaining himself. He denied that he tried to show any disrespect to Hamlin or his situation.
All love thoughts prayers and concerns to @HamlinIsland as he continues to recover from that tragic incident. Never would I make light of that scary unfortunate scene. This game is truly a dangerous risk to our bodies mind and spirit. Nothing but love to all my football brothers
— Eli Apple (@EliApple) January 24, 2023
Fans also had thoughts on Apple’s tweet.
This was how Twitter reacted
Eli Apple when he seen Shaqs tweet 🤣 https://t.co/stSFvTlgQQ pic.twitter.com/bTE9Xw4JQr
— Temporary Eagles fan (@Dinomafia17) January 24, 2023
Eli being forced to tweet this by Bengals PR after his childish rant last night https://t.co/vlZfe5ybTH pic.twitter.com/aNxJOJWIgR
— Aidan Holler (@aidan_holler) January 24, 2023
You said what you said already. This doesn’t make it any better https://t.co/R0DIbkIoWs
— katie🌸 (@Katie_Falls) January 24, 2023
Tell me your job got threatened without telling me your job got threatened. https://t.co/pqWTRZkGnQ
— Tara Rose ☻ (@x0tararose) January 24, 2023
bro scared of lawson 😂 https://t.co/JsF4SSDHtD
— landen(0-0)🦬 FIRE DORSEY (@CookBetta) January 24, 2023
too late https://t.co/HLox6nLF06
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) January 24, 2023
If you could backpedal this well on the field you might not get burnt so much. https://t.co/AGkwtdU7DY
— Dustin (@_dustincox) January 24, 2023
PR team is cookin https://t.co/6AldEtZwu1
— Michael (@Mhiggins___) January 24, 2023
Please calm down, Bills fans. Yes, Apple talks too much trash on Twitter, but he wasn't trying to insult Damar. https://t.co/xklt6ZkKKJ
— Daniel Upchurch (@DanielUpchurc12) January 24, 2023
