Cincinnati Bengals star Germaine Pratt screamed at Joseph Ossai after his teammate’s error helped the Kansas City Chiefs win the AFC Championship to set up a clash with the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.
In a pulsating AFC Championship Game, Patricks Mahomes overcame adversity in his ankle injury to lead the Chiefs past the Bengals with a 23-20 win at Arrowhead Stadium. Mahomes entered the game without a win in three meetings with Bengals star Burrow, but the MVP favourite ensured he finally got one over his rival as Harrison Butker sunk the clinching field goal to win with three seconds remaining.
Late in the fourth quarter, Ossai drew an agonising penalty for a late hit on Mahomes which ultimately led to Butker’s winning kick. Ossai was understandably emotional after his error played a key part in costing the Bengals a trip to a second successive Super Bowl, and the defensive end was seen crying on the sidelines.
As the Bengals players trudged off the field as confetti fell following the Chiefs’ win, linebacker Pratt was captured venting his anger at Ossai’s penalty. The 22-year-old frequently pressured Mahomes throughout the match but was over-exuberant on the crucial play.
“It’s the motherf****** last series,” Pratt screamed out. “What the f***?!
“Why the f*** did you touch the quarterback?!”
The penalty moved the ball from the Bengals’ 43-yard line to the 28 with just eight seconds remaining. Butker cooly slotted the 45-yard field goal to send the Chiefs to a third Super Bowl in four years.
It was an extremely difficult situation for Ossai to process. With reddened eyes and a soft tone, Ossai lamented his penalty in the closing seconds that set the Chiefs up for the victory - and cost the Bengals.
“I gotta learn from experience,” Ossai said. “I gotta know not to get close to that quarterback when he's close to that sideline if it's anything that could possibly cause a penalty in a dire situation like that. I gotta do better.”
The defensive end appreciated the support of his teammates, despite Pratt’s emotional outburst as the result dawned on him. Ossai added: “Means the world to me. These guys mean a lot to me.
“We come in every day and work hard for each other, and to know that they have my back is giving me peace right now, for sure.”
After a second successive deep playoff run, the Bengals enter the 2023 offseason focused on improving to ultimately return to the Super Bowl and go one better in winning a championship. With superstar quarterback Joe Burrow at the helm, Cincinnati will feel as though they can be perennial contenders.
The Eagles will face the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona on February 12.
