GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 08: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins scrambles while being tackled by Preston Smith #91 of the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at Lambeau Field on December 08, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers pass rusher Preston Smith roasted the Washington Football team, his former squad when asked about playing without fans in 2020.
Green Bay Packers pass rusher Preston Smith took a shot at his former team in a video press conference on Friday, joking that he was used to playing without fans in the stands after spending the first four years of his career in Washington.
Smith’s remarks come just a day after the Packers announced that they will play their first two games with no fans in 2020 before re-evaluating later in the season. Green Bay was one of the first teams to announce such a plan, and the trend could continue as the coronavirus pandemic worsens in the United States.
Fans on Twitter took notice of Smith’s comments, and with the Washington Football Team mired in a rocky offseason that has included a (much-maligned) rebrand and reports of rampant sexual misconduct within the organization, the former linebacker’s statement just seems like piling on.
Some Washington fans seemed to take offense to the comments, sharing video of Smith’s fumble return touchdown and subsequent celebration with fans from his years in the nation’s capital.
Smith’s statements appear to be in good fun, however. The pass rusher has not made inflammatory comments regarding his former team in the past, but does appear to have found a more suitable NFL home in Green Bay. The sixth-year man posted a career-high 12 sacks in 2019, good for second on the team.
However, Washington fans do not appear to see it that way, with NBC Sports Washington calling out the 27-year-old pass rusher.
Smith hopes to build on his breakout season in 2020, and expectations will be high after he checked in at No. 63 on the NFL Top 100 list. However, he does not seem necessarily eager to play without fans and relive his Washington days. His full press conference can be found here.