Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas and Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown were involved in a heated postgame altercation in the tunnel at Bank of America Stadium on Monday night.
After New Orleans picked up a win on the road, a video was shared on social media in which Thomas could be seen celebrating in the tunnel on his way to the locker room. He appeared to be saying something while looking backward in the direction Brown eventually came from, as he was entering the tunnel behind him.
The pair exchanged verbal barbs before Brown could be seen charging at Thomas. A member of Carolina’s staff was able to restrain Brown, and after a few tense moments, the defensive tackle began to walk away.
Here is the video of Derrick Brown charging at Michael Thomas after the Saints-Panthers gamepic.twitter.com/0KtKgWSQmC
— Jono Barnes (@JonoBarnes) September 19, 2023
Credit: Jacob_ on YouTube - https://t.co/BMs0AjEaaB
Shortly after the footage began making its rounds on social media, Thomas took to X, formerly Twitter, and appeared to respond to the video. From his personal account, Thomas made three posts, one of which said, “They tried to set me up,” alongside three crying-laughing emojis.
He also wrote, “They was playing good snoop dogg after I was just trying to do my dance,” again using three crying-laughing emojis.
#Saints WR Michael Thomas on the incident with #Panthers DT Derrick Brown after the game.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 19, 2023
"They tried to set me up 😂😂😂"https://t.co/Ydpgy9Ezua pic.twitter.com/LQKIVxe8Hq
In the win on Monday night, Thomas recorded seven receptions for 55 yards. He’s still yet to score a touchdown through his first two games of the season, though he has racked up 12 catches.
The Panthers and Saints will meet again later this season. The NFC South rivals are slated for a matchup in New Orleans in Week 14 on December 10.
