Arkansas Razorbacks special teams player Nathan Bax committed a dangerous and dirty tackle on one of the nation’s best receivers, Alabama’s DeVonta Smith. And though Bax got away with the tackle in the game, as he wasn’t flagged, former and current Crimson Tide players made sure to call him out.
Smith helped the Alabama Crimson Tide put up a quick lead over the Arkansas Razorbacks with a punt return touchdown, the first of his collegiate career. But on the following punt return, Bax and a teammate tackled Smith, with Bax twisting Smith’s ankle long after he was down.
That didn’t sit well with Jaylen Waddle, who pointed out the play on Twitter.
Cmon now Arkansas!!! https://t.co/7ZOo4zH4SJ
— JW (@D1__JW) December 12, 2020
By the second quarter, Smith was wearing tape on his ankle, per AL.com’s Mike Rodak. The injury didn’t appear to be serious, but Smith didn’t return another punt for the rest of the game.
ESPN’s broadcast showing DeVonta Smith with his left ankle taped entering the second quarter.
ESPN showed a replay of an Arkansas player Nathan Bax appearing to twist Smith’s lower left leg at the end of his most recent punt return.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) December 12, 2020
Waddle wasn’t the only current and former Alabama player to see the play as dirty. A few folks sounded off on Twitter.
This gotta be dealt with, ASAP @SEC https://t.co/CMN0MJpVNW
— Damien Harris (@DHx34) December 12, 2020
C’ Mon Now Bra 🤦🏿♂️ https://t.co/cgoKnhcH9l
— Ronnie Harrison II (@Rharr_15) December 12, 2020
Come on man 🤦🏽, that ain’t right pic.twitter.com/kGCuROaZPj
— Mac Hereford (@Mac_Hereford) December 12, 2020
It’s a good thing Smith was OK, as he’s projected to go in the first-round of the 2021 NFL Draft and injury could cost him millions.
