Bills' Dion Dawkins Explains Beef with Rival Jets: 'I Hate Them!'
It’s safe to say the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets stoked the fires of their AFC East rivalry this past season.
There was no shortage of scuffles this season, but none drew more attention than the fiasco after Week 11 when Bills tackle Dion Dawkins and Jets defensive lineman Michael Clemons caused a scene entering their locker rooms.
In an interview with VladTV, Dawkins explained his side of the story, though the segment may not ease tensions between the two rivals.
Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets safety Jordan Whitehead (3) gets pushed down by Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) in a scuffle following a Jets recovery of a Bills fumble in the second half at MetLife Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
“Weirdos being weird,” Dawkins said with a laugh. “I don’t even want to give the man no credit, talking about him. But No. 72, Michael Clemons. (bleep) boy. (Bleep) boy. I’m just gonna keep it a buck, I hate them. All of them, bro. They are all some …
“When it comes to sports, right, there’s people that play the sport because they love the sport and there’s people that play the sport just to try to be cool. I feel like they play the sport to try to be cool. Like those are a bunch of dudes who wanna take pictures on Instagram. Like that’s wack. I play this because I’ll die by it.”
That’s a hard accusation to levy, especially when considering how well the defense played all year – without the support of a competent offense or playoff hopes. Dawkins continued elaborating on what went down.
Clemons, allegedly, was mouthing off to quarterback Josh Allen before cursing out essentially everyone Buffalo had on the field. Unsurprisingly, that was taken personally. Linemen protect their quarterback; it’s a truth as old as the sport itself.
“I’m the OG, I’ve been on this line the longest, I’m the one that’s gonna punch you in the face, I’m the one that’s gonna be about whatever we’re about,” Buffalo’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominee said. “I’m the one that’s gonna kick the door down. I’m the one that’s gonna be the first one to shoot.
“Like in the football world, that’s me. I’m the good guy but also the demon. Simple as that.”
After dominantly winning a block on the next play, Dawkins belly-flopped onto Clemons, drawing an unnecessary roughness penalty.
Clemons didn’t appreciate it, but Dawkins made a point not to instigate the rest of the way. However, when they met in the tunnel, their feud continued.
According to the offensive lineman, Clemons chased him into the tunnel – where both teams funneled into – and started talking again. Dawkins had to cut him off to get into the locker room, though he claims Clemons didn’t really want to fight him.
“He gets close and I think I just mushed him or something like that, I don’t know,” Dawkins said. “I pushed him or whatever. Like, ‘Get away from me, you h**,’ you know what I’m saying. He’s weird!”
The fight ensued, and ultimately Buffalo left with a 32-6 win, splitting the season series.
His words may be nothing more than ammo for each fanbase to use, but he and Clemons will have the attention of the football world when they square off next season, potentially with more playoff implications on the line.
