Falcons' Bijan Robinson apologizes after using homophobic phrase on live TV

Bijan Robinson is one of the top ball carriers in the NFL at getting out of trouble, but after using a homophobic phrase on live TV, the Falcons star’s best move was to simply apologize.

Robinson, who had a brilliant game in helping Atlanta score a last-minute upset win over division rival Tampa Bay, used the troublesome phrase while appearing on the Thursday Night Football Nightcap postgame show.

The running back was responding to praise from analyst and former all-pro cornerback Richard Sherman, who highlighted a standout play by Robinson and said his ability to evade tackles reminded him of backyard football.

“You had a play where they threw it to you, Bijan,” Sherman said. “They threw it to you in the backfield, you made the first one miss, then legged three people. And I said, ‘This boy grew up in the backyard.’”

What did Robinson say?

Robinson and the panel laughed at Sherman’s statement before the running back responded.

“Smear the queer, that’s what we do,” Robinson said, before repeating “Smear the queer.”

A member of the panel was quick to redirect after Robinson used the phrase, calling the game by an alternate name of “kill the carrier.”

The playground game is a variation of football that involves players ganging up and attempting to tackle the person with the ball.

Hours after the clip went viral, Robinson issued an apology on X.

“Hey everyone I want to apologize for the insensitive comment I made in the broadcast, it was a football game we used to play as a kid but that’s not an excuse,” he wrote. “I recognize the mistake and make sure to do better in the future.

“It was not reflective of my beliefs and I am so sorry to those I offended seriously!”

Bowles goes on vulgar tirade

Robinson wasn’t the only person whose words turned a few heads after Thursday night’s game.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles went on a vulgar tirade after his team blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter of the loss.

“You don’t make excuses,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said in an expletive-laden reaction. “You got to (bleeping) care enough where the (bleep) hurts. It’s got to (bleeping) mean something to you. It’s more than a job. It’s your (bleeping) livelihood. How well do you know your job? How well can you do your job? You can’t sugarcoat that (bleep).”

He did praise wide receiver Mike Evans, who returned after missing months with a broken collarbone.

“He’s one of the ones that cares,” Bowles said.