KIRKLAND — When Brian Russell and Chad Johnson crossed each other’s paths this time last year, the resulting collision lit a firestorm that spread throughout the league.
Russell, a Seattle Seahawks safety who was with Cleveland last year, put such a big hit on the Cincinnati Bengals’ star receiver that it became the talk of the league.
Some people commended Russell for smacking the wideout who talked so much smack. Others questioned whether Russell’s hit was a cheap shot.
On Wednesday, Johnson chimed in with an unexpected reaction.
“It was clean,” Cincinnati’s receiver said as his team prepared to face the Seahawks in a Sunday game at Qwest Field. “I would have taken the shot on me if I was him, too, (because of) all the trash I talk. It’s about time somebody caught me clean.”
The hit, during which Russell knocked off Johnson’s helmet and left the receiver’s chin bloodied, was so popular that the YouTube video of it has drawn 96,000 hits over the past year. It was so controversial that one of Russell’s own teammates, Cleveland receiver Braylon Edwards, questioned whether the hit was dirty.
Russell said Wednesday that the backlash wasn’t as harsh as it might have seemed, adding that the hit was unimportant because his Browns lost the game.
“It’s just one play,” Russell said. “I think more was made of it than there needed to be.
“… That’s the way I play. I didn’t get fined for that hit. It was clean.”
Somewhat surprisingly, Johnson agreed.
“That’s the only time I’ve really been hit, ever, since I’ve been in the league,” said Johnson, who is in his seventh NFL season. “I’ve been able to dodge — knock on wood — mostly everything since I’ve been playing. That was my first legit clean shot.
“It’s very, very hard to hit me clean. I was chasing a ball high, and it was out of reach. I really shouldn’t have tried to get it.”
Johnson won’t be out for revenge this Sunday. And if Russell is targeting Johnson, it’s not because he has any animosity. He’s got his sights on Johnson for a more understandable reason.
“The guy is good; he’s one of the best,” Russell said. “I’ve got to worry about making plays and trying to limit him and the other guys he plays with.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
