Stephon Gilmore Accuses Zach Ertz Of ‘Crying’ To The Refs When He Doesn’t Get His Way

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The ironic thing about being a defensive back in the NFL is that typically the better you are, the less we hear your name. Quarterbacks treat elite defenders the way girls treated me in high school: not even looking in their direction. This is why guys like Jalen Ramsey and Richard Sherman are so outspoken, because it’s the most effective way to build their brand outside of quietly eliminated an entire side of the field.

There’s no question that Patriots Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore is elite, but his soft-spoken, swag-apathetic approach to the game would make you think that he’s a backup kicker.

So you know when he’s talking shit to the media, he’s got a serious axe to grind.

Following the Patriots 17-10 win over the Eagles on Sunday, Gilmore ripped Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, who finished with nine catches for 94 yards, for whining and crying to the referees when things didn’t go his way.

“He was crying,” Gilmore said, via NBCSportsBoston.com. “He does that on film a lot. If you get into him. If he don’t get the ball or he don’t get a call, he’ll cry. But he’s a good receiver. He’s a good tight end. He’s a great player . . . He’s a great player, but when he don’t get his way, he’ll complain to the ref. But who don’t do that?”

On Philly’s final third-down snap of the third quarter, Gilmore bodied Ertz with physical one-on-one man-to-man coverage. Wentz threw elsewhere, and Ertz lobbied to the nearest official for a flag. Gilmore and Ertz then had words with each other.

After the game, Gilmore twisted the knife even more by claiming that Ertz isn’t as fast as guys he’s used to covering, so he had to “slow down” to cover him.

While Ertz was the most productive receiver for the Eagles on Sunday, he didn’t haul in one third down pass, or a pass in Patriots territory.

Ertz has yet to comment on Gilmore’s crying accusations.