Calais Campbell: Julius Thomas sent text message apologizing for chop block
Oct 10, 2014, 4:28 AM | Updated: 4:28 am
In front of the media, Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas has yet to seem remorseful for executing a controversial chop block on the Arizona Cardinals’ Calais Campbell last Sunday — a hit that took the defensive end out of the game.
However, Campbell said Thursday on the Big Red Rage on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM that Thomas sent him a text message apologizing for the incident.
“He sent me a text (Wednesday) and told me that he didn’t mean to do it and he was sorry and (said) good luck in getting healthy,” the defensive lineman said. “So that was good. I was happy to hear from him. It made me feel a little bit better about it, but the situation hasn’t changed; I’m still going to miss these next few games.”
Campbell said Thomas didn’t give an explanation for the rough block, but the Cardinals star said he understands how the best players on opposing teams sometimes get targeted.
The seven-year veteran wouldn’t comment directly on his feelings about Thomas, but he did say what missing time due to an injury means to him.
“The thing about it is I want to be on the field playing games, and when stuff like that happens and I can’t play the game I love, it really hurts inside,” he said. “But the beauty of it is it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. And (I’ll) be back in a week or two, maybe three. And I think this team we have is very special. We’re going to do some damage this year, so I’m excited to go back and team up with my guys and go win some games.”
After the loss to Denver, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians called the chop block “the dirtiest play I’ve seen in 37 years of football.”
And on Wednesday, the NFL reportedly fined Thomas $8,268 for the illegal hit.
Arians wouldn’t comment on the penalty Wednesday, but Campbell did, handling it with class.
“It was a max fine for an illegal block for a first time offender. It makes sense,” he said. “I’m glad the NFL did something, and hopefully he won’t do it no more.”
In four games this season, the defensive end has rang up 16 tackles, one sack, one pass defensed and he recorded his first interception of the season (which he returned 23 yards) in Sunday’s loss. Campbell is coming off perhaps his best year as a pro, when he posted 58 tackles, nine sacks, six passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble during the Cardinals’ 10-6 campaign.
