October 28th 2024.
Tempers flared on the field as the Broncos celebrated their 28-14 victory over the Panthers at Empower Field. In the midst of the post-game chaos, Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn and Denver head coach Sean Payton exchanged heated words. While Payton tried to downplay the interaction, he couldn't help but mention that he had previously coached Horn's father, former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn.
"I remember coaching his father," Payton stated, reminiscing about his time with the elder Horn. "So when Jaycee was yelling, I couldn't help but yell back. I don't know what the exchange was about, but I always enjoyed coaching his father. He was a great player."
It's possible that Horn was directing his frustration towards one of the Broncos' players, but the broadcast caught him turning towards the Denver bench and shouting before the final snap of the game. Even after the play was over, Horn continued to yell towards the sideline. Payton responded with a few choice words of his own before briefly following Horn and then proceeding to shake hands with Carolina head coach Dave Canales.
Despite the heated exchange, Payton still had respect for Horn as a player. "I like him. He's a good player," Payton commented. But it's no surprise that tensions were running high, as the Panthers are currently ranked as the worst team in the league according to several metrics. Perhaps Horn took issue with Denver's decision to attempt a fake 60-yard field goal and then follow it up with a wide receiver pass in the fourth quarter, even though they were already ahead by multiple scores.
When asked about the trick plays, Canales brushed them off as just part of the competitive nature of the game. "They were just competing," he stated. "Trying to run out the clock and end the game in that situation. If those were the plays they called, that's their decision to make."
While Canales didn't seem too bothered by the trickery, he did acknowledge that some of his players were frustrated by it. "I think they were a little bit frustrated," he admitted. "But at the end of the day, we need to put ourselves in a better position by playing well throughout the entire game. I can't blame the coaches for taking advantage of the opportunities we gave them."
As the Broncos celebrated their win and the Panthers dealt with their defeat, it was clear that tensions were high on both sides. But as the saying goes, it's all part of the game. And with the Broncos looking to make a playoff run, Payton's words may ring true as they continue to face tougher opponents in the future. Want to stay up to date on all things Broncos? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all the latest NFL analysis.
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