Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith has issued a warning to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Peyton Hendershot after an altercation on the sideline during Thursday night's season opener. Smith accuses Hendershot of pushing him, and the linebacker says he will "see him when he sees him" in the future.
During the Ravens' disappointing loss to the Chiefs, a heated moment occurred early in the fourth quarter. As Kansas City star quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambled for a first down, Smith appeared to push him late, causing the quarterback to fall to the ground. The home crowd erupted in disapproval, expecting a penalty to be called.
Smith Warns Chiefs' Hendershot After Sideline Confrontation
However, the referees kept their flags down, and Smith, who was signaling with his hands that it was not a foul, told reporters post-game that Mahomes had exaggerated the contact. "Oh, he flopped. Yeah, he flopped," Smith said. "That's why the referees didn't call it – it was a great no-call by the ref."
While Smith was celebrating the no-call, Hendershot, who was inactive for the game and wearing street clothes, took exception to Smith's actions. Broadcast footage shows Hendershot shoving Smith, which the linebacker confirmed after the game.
Smith Warns Chiefs' Hendershot After Sideline Confrontation
"But, whoever [number] 88 is, I don't know who he is, but he better watch himself," Smith said. "He did a little slick push."
Reporters pressed Smith for more details, noting that he had turned around and approached Hendershot on the Chiefs' sideline, leading to a brief scrum before the tension dissipated.
Smith Warns Chiefs' Hendershot After Sideline Confrontation
"Whoever No. 88 is, I have no idea who he is, but I'll see him when I see him," Smith concluded, before taking another question.
The Chiefs went on to score a touchdown on that drive, with rookie Xavier Worthy hauling in his second career touchdown on just his third NFL touch.
Despite a solid performance in which he led the Ravens in tackles and intercepted Mahomes, Smith's night was marred by a horse collar tackle on Rashee Rice in the opening play of the game.
The Ravens ultimately fell to the Chiefs, the reigning Super Bowl champions, despite appearing to have an opportunity to tie or win the game on Isaiah Likely's apparent touchdown reception on the final play of regulation. However, Likely's toe was determined to be out of bounds.
Since the Ravens and Chiefs are not in the same division, they will not meet again in the regular season unless they face off in the playoffs, as they did in the AFC Championship Game earlier this year.
However, if and when that happens, Smith made it clear that he will be seeking out Hendershot to address their altercation in Week 1.
