Earl Thomas isn't a dirty player.
The Ravens safety made that clear as he expressed remorse for knocking out Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in the third quarter of Sunday's game at Heinz Field.
“I was just trying to get to the ball and make a play for my team,” Thomas told reporters after the game, per the team's official website. “I hit the strike zone, I didn’t go high. I didn’t try to intentionally hurt him. I’m worried about him. I heard he’s at the hospital and my prayers go out to him and his family.
“But I’m never trying to hurt anybody. At the end of the day, guys have families. I would never try to intentionally hurt him. I was just trying to fly to the ball like I normally do.”
Rudolph was attempting to make a throw when Thomas hit him in the chin before he got the pass off. It was a scary scene as Rudolph lay motionless on his back for several minutes while the team's medical staff attended to him on the field. He was later carried off after apparent problems with the cart and was seen telling trainers, "I'm good."
Mason Rudolph knocked unconscious. #BALvsPIT pic.twitter.com/rWkF1YfZRT
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) October 6, 2019
Rudolph was ruled out with a concussion and taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
“It was a weird sight,” Thomas said. “I quickly went over to his teammates and said, ‘Hey bro, I did not mean to do that. That wasn’t intentional at all, I’m just trying to make a football play.’”
The Ravens went on to win, 26-23, in overtime on the foot of Justin Tucker.