Buccaneers’ Giovani Bernard blamed for sloppy fake punt in tense exchange with reporters

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It looked like a major momentum change on Sunday when the Buccaneers missed a fake punt while leading 17-3 and returning the ball to the Bengals in Tampa Bay territory.

On Tampa Bay’s first drive in the third quarter, the Buccaneers drew what was supposed to be a fake punt, but he apparently caught running back Giovani Bernard off guard when the ball hit him in the helmet.

Asked about the game after the game, Bernard began the exchange with reporters by expressing his frustration that they only wanted to talk to him when something serious was going on and that he just wanted to see his family rather than talk about the game. game. He finally relented, taking responsibility for the mistake but saying nothing other than it was his fault.

Miscommunication, that’s all it was on my part,” Bernard said. “I take full blame for it.

Bucs running back Giovani Bernard wouldn’t speak to the media about what happened during the botched fake punt. Here is that interaction.

Note: As journalists, it is our duty to seek clarification on what happened, especially on the most crucial play in a game. pic.twitter.com/snQSvLE5mA

JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) December 19, 2022

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When asked if he knew it was a fake punt, Bernard didn’t want to delve into the answer, simply saying he didn’t know and the play was his fault.

“I messed up,” he repeated several times before the end of the exchange.

Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles was more clear about the game during his press conference. He explained that Bernard had missed the ball and knew it was fake.

“He knew it was coming,” Bowles said.

Guess Gio missed a fake punt call #GoBucs #Buccaneers #CINvsTB #NFL pic.twitter.com/V1JUXVMOag

Len Martez (@LMart810) December 18, 2022

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Bowles defended the decision to try the fake punt on the fourth-and-first of the Tampa Bay 26, saying it was a play the team had practiced and he felt the blockage was there on the play for the Buccaneers to pick up more. more than enough yardage to get the first try.

“Yeah, we needed a yard, we had it and we practiced it all week and it just didn’t handle it,” Bowles said.

The Bengals turned the downs turnover to just three points after being stopped at the Tampa Bay 3, but the momentum took a hit. The Bengals then scored 34 unanswered points and won the game 34-23.

Bernard’s tense exchange drew a lot of attention, including from NBA star Kevin Durant, who praised Bernard’s responses and criticized the media’s handling of the situation.

Giovani handled this like a real pro. https://t.co/LJsMzDhtrf

Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) December 19, 2022

Law in this world has moved to another level. The media think they are responsible for the popularity of the game

Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) December 19, 2022

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ESPN’s Jenna Laine defended the trade, saying Bernard is contractually obligated to speak to the media about all players and noting that the media would have spoken with Bernard earlier in the season, but he was injured. He has only played five games this season, having been placed in IR on September 21 and returned on November 26.

Injured players don’t talk to the media.

This year, every player who made a mistake in the game spoke about it with no problem. In a team that has had communication issues all year, the number 1 thing we wanted to know was: Did he get the call that it was a rigged game? We cannot just start from what we see.

JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) December 19, 2022

Also, I posted the clip in its entirety because 1) I believe in transparency and 2) it gives an honest look at what a locker room is like when a team with Super Bowl expectations drops to 6 -8. If reality is too much for people, I don’t know what to tell you.

JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) December 19, 2022

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