Chargers praise Bradley Bozeman’s response to Saints’ illegal hit

INGLEWOOD, California – After receiving an unnecessary roughness call for protecting Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert following an illegal collision in Sunday’s 26-8 win over the Unused Orleans Saints, center Bradley Bozeman He was celebrated by his teammates and received a sports ball through mentor Jim Harbaugh.

The Saints’ defense against Nathan Shepherd rolled Herbert’s right ankle and pulled the sick quarterback as he threw the ball to running back JK Dobbins in the second quarter. Bozeman, the only Chargers lineman who saw the interaction, ran and pulled Shepherd away from Herbert after persevering by pushing Shepherd toward the outfield before Herbert and a pro separated them.

Bozeman and Shepherd were flagged for unnecessary roughness, the first such characteristic of Bozeman’s career.

“It was probably one of the dirtiest plays I’ve ever seen,” Bozeman said.

“You protect your quarterback no matter what. And I think any of our offensive linemen who were in my position would have done the same thing.”

Herbert has been nursing a sprained right ankle he suffered in the Day 2 win over the Carolina Panthers.

“Everyone knows Justin has a bad ankle,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t blame [Bozeman]. “I don’t encourage him at all, but I don’t blame him.”

Herbert ended up getting Bozeman out of Shepherd with the help of a professional.

Bozeman said he was once greeted on the sideline by teammates and coaches, who also noticed that Shepherd’s moves were dirty.

“That’s the kind of center you want on your team,” Herbert said. “He will give everything for this team, and I appreciate what he did. I tried to get him through so he wouldn’t get penalized, but having a guy like that defending you, there’s no better feeling.”

After the sport, Harbaugh introduced sports balls for all team participants. Many players began chanting for Bozeman before Harbaugh finally yelled “Boze” and awarded him one, which earned the loudest cheer of all in the penthouse room.

“You have your gentle, giant side, and then when you have to flip the switch, you flip it,” said the 6-foot-5, 311-pound Bozeman, “and that kind of thing is unacceptable. That’s for our top quarterback. is unacceptable.”