Chicago Bears legendary defensive lineman Dan “Danimal” Hampton echoed the sentiments of more than a few Minnesota Vikings players and coaches, calling the St. Louis Rams “thugs in shoulder pads.”
The Bears (3-5) are on the road to face the Rams (4-4) in Week 10. Hampton discussed the upcoming matchup, noting St. Louis should be a tougher challenge than the San Diego Chargers were on Monday night.
“A lot tougher job this week, we’ve got to play the Rams,” Hampton said, per the Chicago Sun-Times. “You know, I know, the Rams, they’re thugs in shoulder pads. They like to get after you. They knock you around.”
It’s impossible to know if Hampton was directly referring to last weekend’s big story about Rams defensive back Lamarcus Joyner knocking Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater unconscious on a late hit or not. Regardless, it’s becoming increasingly clear players, both current and former, view the Rams, and perhaps any team coached by Fisher and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, as a team that is more inclined to violence than most.
After last weekend’s game against the Rams, head coach Mike Zimmer said the late hit on Bridgewater was “dirty” and said all teams coached by Williams “are all like that,” and his players had similar things to say about it.
It’s going to be interesting to see if more players vocalize similar thoughts in the weeks to come.