ATLANTA _ Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, who was at the center of a critical non-call in the fourth quarter of the Rams' 26-23 overtime win against the Saints in the NFC Championship Game, said he received death threats in the days after the controversial play.
"I got one or two death threats," Robey-Coleman said Wednesday morning at the Rams' Super Bowl media availability. "Somebody that was probably bitter that didn't like a call and said something on Instagram or Facebook."
Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw a pass from the Ram' 13-yard line to wide receiver Tommylee Lewis, but Robey-Coleman hit Lewis _ making helmet-to-helmet contact _ before the ball arrived. No penalty was called, but replay showed the play was clearly pass interference. The Saints kicked a field goal to make it 23-20 with 1:41 left, but the Rams scored on their next possession with a Greg Zuerlein 48-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. Zuerlein kicked a game-winning 57-yard field goal 3:17 into overtime to win the game and qualify the Rams for Super Bowl LIII against the Patriots.
Robey-Coleman said after the game that he expected a pass interference penalty to be called. Robey-Coleman was later fined $26,739 by the NFL for striking Lewis' helmet.
Robey-Coleman said he didn't contact law enforcement or alert the Rams about the death threats.
"I didn't worry about it that much," he said. "Being in Los Angeles, I feel safe. I know my whereabouts. If I ever feel like I had a situation where I feel like I was endangered, I'll tell the (Rams) organization. I think it was a fake page that was online. I ignored it and moved on. It's just a lot of talk.
"My teammates got my back," he said. "They've supported me. My teammates step up for me. Just having that support makes me feel good."
