It can be just as dangerous to go low in the NFL as it can be to go high. Alex Smith is lucky he didn’t have to learn that the hard way after Steelers DB Mike Mitchell hit Alex late in the knees from behind.
Unbiased NFL dot com reporter Dan Hanzus said it’s about as dirty as it gets. Mitchell was penalized for it.
That's about as dirty as it gets, Mike Mitchell. pic.twitter.com/piPXole7hS
— Dan Hanzus (@DanHanzus) October 15, 2017
“Certainly when I got fired up I thought (the hit) was pretty late, I mean when you get hit in the back of your knee like that I didn’t understand how that happened,” Chiefs QB Alex Smith said after the game. “Certainly guys falling, rushing the quarterback I get it when it’s happening from the front and guys trying hard. That one to me just seemed so weird to get hit that low coming from behind.”
Some, like Mitchell himself, might say that he was pushed into Alex by his own teammate (dubious claim the way he fell so intentionally into Alex’s legs). I don’t think he gets the benefit of the doubt anymore.
Mitchell was the guy that hit Charcandrick West in the head which caused him to leave with a concussion. The refs missed this one. In 2017 these hits make me squirm.
— Matthew (@matt4insurance) October 16, 2017
It’s unusual for a Steelers player to take a cheap shot like ... wait. What is this?
Yeah no way Mike Mitchell would go after Alex Smith's knee or ankle...he was pushed, tripped, etc...now back to 2015 pic.twitter.com/5gk5JpaMa3
— Busted Coverage (@bustedcoverage) October 16, 2017
I’m not saying he’s on Jahleel Addae’s level when it comes to these hits ... wait, I kinda am.