He also thinks it was a “clean hit.”
Getty Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears is hit by Andre Smith of the Buffalo Bills during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 21, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bills defeated the Bears 41-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) Fans of the Chicago Bears held their collective breath for a moment in the team’s 41-15 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the second preseason game. When Bills linebacker Andre Smith took quarterback Justin Fields to the turf with a helmet-to-helmet hit that sent Fields’ helmet flying off his head, it didn’t look good for a second. Fortunately for the Bears and their fans, Fields popped up from the turf looking relatively unfazed. Here’s a look at the play: ICYMI: Andre Smith Jr gets penalized for roughing the passer following this hit on Justin Fields… ???? #BUFvsCHI #NFLPreseason pic.twitter.com/KrPmufsBQw SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) August 21, 2021 The hit was the result of a rookie mistake by Fields, as he failed to identify at the line that Buffalo was sending yet another blitz, but Smith led with his helmet, which is a definite no-no in the league. He was flagged for the illegal hit and the Bills were penalized 15-yards for helmet-to-helmet contact. After the game, Smith took to Twitter to apologize to Bears fans for the hit on Fields — before trolling them endlessly in ridiculous fashion. Here’s his initial apology: I’m sorry Bears fans ???? ion want no smoke ???? — Andre The Giant ⚡️ (@AndreSmith_9) August 21, 2021 ALL the latest Bears news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Heavy on Bears newsletter here! Join Heavy on Bears! Good news for Chicago, though: Their future franchise quarterback got up from the hit with ease, appearing slightly rattled after losing his helmet and headband during the hit.
