Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates has Eli Apple’s back in the apparent beef with Miami Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill.
Apple was on the receiving end of some trash talk from Hill before the Bengals and Dolphins collide on “Thursday Night Football” this week. The beef stems from some jabs both sides threw after the Bengals beat the Chiefs twice last year, including in the AFC title game.
While Apple has declined to comment on Hill’s chatter this week, Bates didn’t pull punches when asked about it.
“I don’t know if Eli got him tickets to the Super Bowl last year or not,” Bates said, according to ESPN’s Ben Baby. “I think that’s probably why he’s a little upset.”
Ouch.
Apple made the key tackle on Hill in the AFC title game right before halftime that made a comeback possible, then threw a little shade on social media.
Cornerback Mike Hilton was right there with Bates: “It must have still been in his head a little bit, obviously, if he brought it up. We’re not with all the talking. We’re just going to go out there and handle our business on Thursday.”
Both sides will get to have another say in this mini-feud under the bright lights of primetime this week.
