In one of the biggest storylines last week, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith told taunting home fans to (way) off. His teammate, defensive end Michael Crosby, had some fun with the surprise photo op. The incident unfolded on Thursday night, coinciding with a game that ended in a 23-23 tie, leaving many spectators buzzing over the players’ reactions.
Geno Smith, Seattle’s starting quarterback the last three years, became a free agent this offseason. He’s recently come under fire for his failure to sign a new contract with the squad. This inability to come to an agreement possibly led to increased tensions on the day of the game. As the Seahawks prepared to take the field, a fan reportedly taunted Smith, leading to his visible frustration.
Just minutes after Smith’s show of energy, Crosby was following suit, hopping on his skates and interacting with the supporters. He was seen attempting to grab a sign that read, “Bigger Bust — Geno or JaMarcus Russell?” This added sign really ramped up the tension, forcing both players to retaliate with their own subtle actions. Immediately, videos of Smith and Crosby’s obscene gestures went viral on social media. These carousels were very effective in showcasing the players’ heated confrontations with the fans.
Smith’s case became a flashpoint for racial equity. He was joining his old coach, Pete Carroll, who had coached him through his entire NFL career. The intimate friendships he had devolved into making him more aware and maybe more susceptible to the stress he faced on the field. Both players planted their feet and in tandem began to squat up and down, shooting looks at the taunting fans. There was no doubt that tensions were high.
No matter how chaotic the scene was around them, the Seahawks never lost sight of one primary focus—their performance on the field. Their tie against their opponents was an accurate representation of both teams’ play on the field, despite unavoidable off-field distractions hanging over them.
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