Anthony Barr, linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, said that his intention wasn’t to hurt Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Barr hit Rodgers in the Sunday’s game against Packers, and Rodgers ended with a fractured collarbone. Rodgers had a surgery on Thursday and may miss the rest of the season.
“By no means was I trying to injure or take out Aaron Rodgers,” – Barr said on Friday. “He’s one of, if not, the best player in this league. I’m not a dirty player. I don’t play dirty. We don’t preach that around here. It’s unfortunate, the injury. I hate to see anybody get hurt. It’s a gift and a privilege to be able to play on the field each week, so I would never try and take that away from anybody, let alone one of the best players in our game.“
Barr’s hit on Rodgers was called dirty by some analysts and he received strong criticism from Packers coach Mike McCarthy. The NFL, however, ruled the hit legal by not fining Barr. He did receive a fine for another play when he head-butted Davante Adams. After the play on Adams, Barr received an unsportsmanlike penalty which caused Vikings to lose 15 yards.
In the game against the Packers, Anthony Barr played only in the first half, missing the second one due to a concussion. He ended the game with 1 tackle and 1 assisted tackle.
Although it is possible Barr suffered a concussion after the head-butt on Adams, he thinks otherwise. Barr believes concussion is the result of him colliding with teammate Linval Joseph late in the second quarter. He didn’t participate in the Vikings’ practice on Wednesday, returning on Thursday as a limited participant. Barr took full part in the Friday’s practice.
