Lions safety Kerby Joseph responds to being called a dirty player

For all the controversy that has been around it, and the defense of the low hit on Rams tight end Tyler Higbee that has gotten flimsy in spots, it's an incredible stretch to call Lions safety Kerby Joseph a dirty player. If anything, as head coach Dan Campbell cited, Joseph's form on the play opens himself up to a serious injury.

In the aftermath of the play, with Higbee clearly injured badly, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was seen exchanging words with Joseph. Stafford was mic'd up for the game, unsurprisingly in his return to Detroit, and what he said to Joseph was captured.

"Hey! Hey! Hey, that’s a good hit. That’s a good hit, (but) you’re dirty as f*ck, though, and you know it,” Stafford said. “You’re dirty as f*ck. It’s been on tape. I’ve seen it. Hey, it’s been on tape.”

Kerby Joseph responds to those who are calling him a dirty player

On Thursday, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Joseph responded to the criticism he has gotten.

"I’m cool. I’m used to being the villain", Joseph said.

When exactly Joseph has been been labeled "the villain" before is unclear, but more interestingly he did address the situation with Stafford.

"To be honest, I don’t really know [why Stafford was mad],” Kerby said. “It was the quickest thing, so I don’t even know what his intentions was, for real. On the celebration part, I wasn’t celebrating that I hurt him. I kind of didn’t really peep that he was hurt, for real. But like I said, prayers out to that boy and his family. Like the game we play, just stuff happens.”

Joseph said he "just wanted to make a tackle, really", and he's trying to stay focused.
“People are going to say what they say. I’m just here to do my job,” he said.

Good or bad, extra eyes will be on Joseph during Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, with some people ready to pounce at the slightest hint of a questionable hit.