Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who was disqualified in the third quarter of Sunday's game after "throwing a punch" at Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, was remorseful on Monday.
“It should have never been in that position, first and foremost because my brothers were out there competing and I need to be out there at all times,” Freeman said. “In the heat of the battle, in the heat of the moment, both of us are competitors and it just happened.”
Freeman wishes that he’d exercised better judgment.
“It just can’t happen,” Freeman said. “Both of us are pros. It wasn’t intentional or (anything) like that. I’m a competitor and he’s a competitor. It just happened.”
The Falcons had fallen behind 20-3 and a major fight nearly broke out. Donald and Falcons defensive end Takk McKinley received unnecessary roughness penalties.
“We had a screen play or something like that on,” Freeman said. “He got in the backfield so fast, I kind of chipped him and stuff.
“Both of us said a few things to each other and it kind of escalated from there. Both of us are competitors. We are football players. We ain’t boxers. I know I can’t let my emotions get out hand like that again. I was definitely just out there trying to compete.”
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