Gerald McCoy: Bucs coaches upset I helped up opponent

Gerald McCoy was flabbergasted at the grief he took for helping up an opponent. (Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald

Gerald McCoy was flabbergasted at the grief he took for helping up an opponent. (Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy says he was scolded for one of the most basic acts of sportsmanship.

McCoy, who made the Pro Bowl last season, said in a radio interview with a Tampa-area radio station that he took grief from Buccaneers coaches for helping an opposing player up during a game.

Here are his comments, via Yahoo's Anwar Richardson:

“I had my D-line coaches get on to me the other day. Well, not get on to me, try to get on to me. There’s no way they’re going to get on to me for this. They got upset with my because I helped somebody up [in the game.] So what! I don’t care. Kiss my butt. Listen, if I want to help somebody, I’m going help somebody up. Because right on the next play I’m going to knock him down again. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter.

“That doesn’t change how hard I play. As long as in between the whistles. I’m not helping anybody up, it doesn’t matter. So what if I help them off the ground? ‘Good job; we’re out here competing. But as soon as they snap the ball, I’m going to kill you again.’

“There’s nothing wrong with that. Everybody’s not like that. If you don’t want to be like that, keep it to yourself. I don’t care. I don’t go tell them, ‘Hey, you’re not doing this. You’re not doing that.’ I don’t care. Everybody does what they do. If I help somebody up, get over it. Get over it.”

According to JoeBucsFan.com, McCoy made the comments after catching heat from a fan caller who repeatedly told him he doesn't have enough "dawg" in him.

The Buccaneers are 0-7 heading into a Sunday matchup with the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks.

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