Some people in sports relish being a villain, or at least being portrayed as one, but other players seem to despise it and want to be liked to a certain extent.
When a player takes to talking trash on a regular basis, the natural inclination for fans and the media is to paint him as an instigator or even a villain.
Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has been cast in that role, but he said he’s tired of it, and to that end is no longer talking trash on social media prior to games.
“I’m just tired of being the villain on social media. I still do it. I’m just tired of seeing myself on Twitter every day, you know?” Chase said, via Mike Petraglia of CLNS Media. “… I just don’t do it no more. I do it on the field.”
“I’m just tired of being the villain on social media.” Ja’Marr Chase on cutting back on game week trash talking this season, saving it for the game. pic.twitter.com/mPutBHppm0
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) October 17, 2024
The Bengals, who are 2-4 after opening the 2024 NFL season with three straight losses, are about to take on a Cleveland Browns team that has major problems and recently traded star wideout Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills.
Chase, who missed practices during training camp while looking for a lucrative contract extension, has 565 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 34 receptions through six games.
Cincinnati hasn’t had that much trouble on offense, but their defense has let them down this season.
In two of their four losses, they have given up at least 38 points, and in a Week 5 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens, they allowed 520 total yards to Lamar Jackson and crew.
After this game, the Bengals host the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 27, and on Thursday, Nov. 7, they will play the Ravens again, this time on the road, in what will be a huge AFC North matchup.