I Think Nick Chubb Just Became My Favorite Player

Trash talk is as much a part of sports as the stitching on the jerseys. Michael Jordan was shattering careers long after his playing days were over simply by roasting the OJ Mayos of the world just for shits and giggles. It’s the game within the game, there’s an art to it. And while the Browns twitter account was being facetious, make no mistake about Nick Chubb – that man is cold blooded. Because while plenty of all time greats were also proficient verbal warriors, it’s guys like Chubb whose silence is almost more insulting. One of the only things Chubb said to the Ravens at any point in this game was “Appreciate you. Good hit. Good run.” on one of the three touchdowns he scored. What a jackass. 88-yard touchdown? Silence, barely a celebration. Seemed more irritated he had to run that far and that the Ravens weren’t good enough to tackle him sooner. Just going about his business so casually and well-measured it’s almost more insulting than any trash talk could ever be.

It’s Kevin Garnett vs. Tim Duncan. Both Hall of Famers, both beloved players during their generation, one of them was constantly threatening his opponents with talks of gunplay, Honey Nut Cheerios, and cancer jokes. The other just wanted to swim and buy ill-fitting denim with only this stupid basketball game standing between him and the next trip to Old Navy. Watch me hit this boring bank shot, watch me follow this lead blocker for a gain of 12, dust myself off and go back to the huddle just to do it again. We both know you’re not going to stop it, so why even mention it?

I’m not saying I want every player to be this way, that would be boring as hell. Nothing in sports put a bigger smile on my face in recent memory than Marshawn Lynch running through the entire Saints organization, reaching the goal line, turning and grabbing his crotch while falling into the end zone for six. Sometimes you gotta tell the world to hold your dick because you’re the baddest man alive. Other times, it’s so obvious to everyone watching that there’s no need to utter a single syllable.