New York Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and former San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley got into one of the strangest Twitter beefs of the new year.
As the 49ers struggled to mount much of a fight against the Philadelphia Eagles during Sunday’s NFC championship, Thibodeaux took to Twitter to troll San Francisco for their bad afternoon.
Well, Staley took great offense to that and decided to slam Thibodeaux’s playing ability and say that he’s let New York media get to his head.
Thibodeaux responded with an equally devastating clapback, and the two were off in the bizarre social media back-and-forth. You can see the highlights below.
Way this game look we might be better than the 49rs😂😂😂
— Kayvon Thibodeaux (@kayvont) January 29, 2023
Ur a flash player who gets bodied by average tackles. Don’t let the New York media affect you too much. https://t.co/YxrCndt6ef
— Joe Staley (@jstaley74) January 30, 2023
Who are you bro… https://t.co/ZKOpFDOGQM
— Kayvon Thibodeaux (@kayvont) January 30, 2023
Enough for u to respond. Congrats on your 4 sacks this year tho. that’s huge. Unbelievable numbers. https://t.co/nk3xNU1qCJ
— Joe Staley (@jstaley74) January 30, 2023
Idc how famous you think you are if I don’t know you….I don’t know you 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Kayvon Thibodeaux (@kayvont) January 30, 2023
😂😂😂😂old people need to leave me alone https://t.co/obOa4kc6uL
— Kayvon Thibodeaux (@kayvont) January 30, 2023
Then, out of nowhere, former Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes got in on the action.
Hey @kayvont ask Joe if you can see his NFC Championship Rings?
You are a rookie so maybe you don’t know this but the “loser” of the Super Bowl gets a ring for winning their conference and he has two! 😭 https://t.co/c6UxA4Criz
— Lᴀᴡʀᴇɴᴄᴇ Tʏɴᴇs (@lt4kicks) January 30, 2023
Staley did not take kindly to Tynes’ response.
Ur a kicker https://t.co/MyJU5g3XmT
— Joe Staley (@jstaley74) January 30, 2023
Adding to the conversation, former Giants pass rusher Michael Strahan came to Thibodeaux’s and Tynes’ defense.
You also had a great career and should be proud. Don't go after a rookie and my kicker. @kayvont had 4 sacks this year. I had 2 1/2 on you you're rookie year and I was old at that point so don't forgot that. Let my young guy live!! #DADDY https://t.co/8vFvTH75Uo
— Michael Strahan (@michaelstrahan) January 30, 2023
As you can guess, there really wasn’t a “winner” to this feud, only social media hubbub. However, Staley wasn’t the only member of Niners faithful who didn’t like Thibodeaux’s post. San Francisco defensive end Arik Armstead had some critiques of his own.
Thibodeaux responded with a wisecrack of his own, but he doled out some respect for his fellow pass rusher.
Don’t do that bro . I watched y’all film https://t.co/V95tLl7hKy
— Arik Armstead (@arikarmstead) January 30, 2023
You played well tho bro💯🫡
— Kayvon Thibodeaux (@kayvont) January 30, 2023
While we certainly won’t see Thibodeaux and Staley take their beef onto the field since the latter hasn’t played since the 2019-20 season, the 49ers and Giants might have some words for each other the next time they play.
They both lost to the Eagles, so at least they have that in common.
