Titans OC Arthur Smith apologized to Kalif Raymond for hard chest bump
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is an emotional guy, and we got a good glimpse of that in Week 13 against the Indianapolis Colts.
After a strong chest bump on Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kalif Raymond in Week 13, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith actually apologized for it.
It happened after Raymond’s 40-yard touchdown catch on a pass from quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the fourth quarter of the Titans’ 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday.
In fairness to Smith, it was a huge play in the game. Raymond’s catch that found pay dirt was the dagger in the win and it helped seal the deal that the Titans were going to exorcise their demons against the Colts.
Smith was asked about it on Thursday and said he apologized to Raymond for it, and even got some slack from his family after they saw it on television (the clip of it is below), per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online.
"“It’s a little different hitting Derrick than it was Kalif. I felt bad because I forget how big I am and how little Kalif is, so it looked a little ridiculous, and I told Kalif I wasn’t trying to send him out there. I really try to get disciplined to keep a steady presence. A lot of times it’s really just happy for those guys because I know what Kalif’s been through in his football journey… and the same thing when Derrick… it kind of gets the sideline going. But after it’s over, I really don’t… I try not to react and showboat, but it’s unfortunate that a couple of those have come up.”"
Chest-bumping @Titans OC Arthur Smith apologized to @kalifraymond7 — and got some grief from his family — for getting so excited on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/k1UrfmKIHJ
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 5, 2019
I really don’t think it was necessary for Smith to apologize. Raymond is a football player and he takes way harder hits on the field than he ever will from Smith, despite the size difference between the two.
Smith’s chest bump shows emotion, and it shows a little swag, and I don’t think that’s a problem for a Titans team that could certainly use it — and it’s especially OK considering how big of a play that was and what was at stake in the game.
And Smith’s exuberance is understandable for another reason: he has been one of the most embattled Titans in 2019, but now has likely secured his job beyond this season with what has been quite the turnaround on offense for Tennessee in the last six games.