Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph has recently addressed criticism labeling him as a “dirty player” following incidents involving low hits on opposing players. In December 2024, Joseph was accused of being the “Dirtiest Player in the NFL” by NFL reporter Dov Kleiman. Joseph responded humorously on social media, retweeting Kleiman’s post with the comment, “Naw man that’s the wrong DPOY,” accompanied by laughing emojis. He further remarked, “TBH yall just calling me dirty cs yall favorite QB said it and that he seen it on film lol but bra seen it on film and still set his mans up,” suggesting that the criticism was influenced by others’ opinions.
Earlier, in January 2024, Joseph faced backlash for a hit on Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee, who suffered a torn ACL and MCL. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, mic’d up during the game, called Joseph “dirty as f–k” after the play. Joseph responded by stating, “I’m cool. I’m used to being the villain.” He emphasized that he did not intend to injure anyone and was focused on making a tackle.
In a January 2025 interview, Joseph addressed the “dirty player” label more directly. He stated, “I don’t care about nobody’s opinion, for real. This is football. When you sign up to play this game, you sign up for injuries. The people complaining about dirty hits—they just soft. They don’t know football.” He also referenced Stafford’s criticism, suggesting that the narrative was influenced by Stafford’s comments.
Joseph’s responses reflect his confidence and commitment to his playing style, despite the criticism. His assertive stance underscores his dedication to his role on the field and his disregard for external judgments.
