'I'm a Critic!': Patriots Ex Asante Samuel Denies 'Beef' with Bill Belichick
The top of Asante Samuel's resume should now read "critic" rather than "cornerback"?
A vital part of two New England Patriot Super Bowl runs (2003-04), Samuel shoved his name back into the NFL headlines last week despite his last downs coming in 2013. In addition to a feud with current New York Jets defenders on Twitter, Samuel irked his former fans with an unflattering review of coach Bill Belichick, claiming the new-century Patriots' success "was all Tom (Brady)."
TMZ caught up with Samuel in the wake of his verbal warfare, giving him a chance to clarify. He made no apologies, insisting he has no personal issues with anyone he takes to task.
"I'm a critic just like y'all," Samuel said. "Y'all wake up, man. Y'all stop actin' like clowns."
Samuel seems surprised that his comments drew outrage, as he sees it as no different from the mental calisthenics he engaged in during his playing days. The Central Florida alum played the first five seasons (2003-07) of an 11-year NFL career in Foxborough after arriving as a fourth-round pick out of Orlando.
Now that he's no longer suiting up on Sundays, Samuel vowed to continue reaping in the benefits of inconsequential fandom, saying he'll "continue to talk."
"I've been doing this. I'm sick of it!" he told TMZ. "It's not a beef. If y'all want to cover it, y'all cover it. But it's not a beef."
Over his NFL tenure, Samuel pulled in 51 interceptions, including a league-leading 10 with the Patriots in 2006. He also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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