CARDINALS CORNER
DeAndre Hopkins on Ward’s ‘steroid boy’ rant: ‘I pray for people like that’
Nov 26, 2022, 10:00 AM
DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a Cardinals touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
TEMPE — San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward wasn’t shy when giving his opinion of Arizona wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins following the Cardinals’ loss to the 49ers on Monday Night Football.
On top of letting it be known that he does not respect Hopkins’ game, his trash talk or his intimidation tactics, Ward went a step further, calling the Pro Bowler “steroid boy” for his six-game PED suspension.
Fresh off spending his Thanksgiving at UMom New Day Centers, Hopkins took the high road while also giving a friendly reminder Friday when asked about Ward’s postgame rant of the wideout.
“I pray for people like him,” #AZCardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins when speaking on 49ers CB Charvarius Ward and his comments (steroid boy) on the WR following the Week 11 matchup. pic.twitter.com/SwKwZlsiiT
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) November 25, 2022
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“I’m not the kind of guy who goes to social media for stuff like that,” Hopkins said. “It sounded very personal, but the crazy thing about this league is you never know when you might end up on a team with somebody. It is what it is.
“I’m not the kind of guy that’ll give a public service announcement about somebody else, but we’re all in the (NFL) fraternity together. I hate to hear a guy talk like that about anybody. For me, I pray for people like that. A lot of people are tough when they can go and type something and say something. I respect guys like LeVeon Bell who get in that boxing ring. … I would definitely love to get in the boxing ring and see how tough (Ward) is in real life.”
As for getting “locked up” — as Ward put it — despite putting up nine catches for 91 yards, Hopkins credits the 49ers coaching staff for putting their players in the position to win.
“It’s football. They won the game,” Hopkins said. “I give respects to their defensive coaches for having a good game plan to beat us. I don’t make excuses.
“Nine for 91? We lost the game. Stats and stuff like that to me doesn’t matter man. They did a good job of beating us.”
