The Cincinnati Bengals have Joseph Osai’s back. The rookie defensive end pushed Patrick Mahomes out of bounds and kicked the winning field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. was called for a penalty with just seconds remaining for giving the yards he needed.
Ossai was seen by many as the scapegoat for losses, unfair or not. His Bengals teammates know they wouldn’t have won without him. So they stood by him when the buzzer rang and when his Twitter buzzed with harsh words thrown at the 22-year-old rookie.
Teammates Cam Sample and Sam Hubbard sat with the young man in distress. send warm words It was a cold ending to the game.
Cam Sample came in to console Joseph Ossai after Ossai scored a costly penalty on the Chiefs’ winning drive. teammate. pic.twitter.com/0h1iOfAUo1
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 30, 2023
A teammate consoled Ossai at the end, with BJ Hill standing right next to him for post-match commentary #WhoDeypic.twitter.com/noFxhH42Tg
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) January 30, 2023
Veteran tackle BJ Hill stood right by Joseph Osay as a crowd of reporters surrounded him for a post-game interview. Hill even declined his one question to Ossai.
This was the scene in Joseph Ossay’s Locker where BJ Hill stepped in to provide support https://t.co/8vn1OOlhOQpic.twitter.com/nbUnoCkzfp
— Michael Niziolek (@michaelniziolek) January 30, 2023
It doesn’t get any easier for Joseph Ossai between now and the start of next season. While he’s certainly reprehensible for fouling Patrick Mahomes, the game ended with far more losses than his one play. A Bengals rookie will want that last play erased from memory the next time he steps onto the field.
