Former tight end Mark Chmura was part of the 1995 Green Bay Packers team that went into Candlestick Park in the playoffs and knocked off the heavily favored San Francisco 49ers. He credits the Packers' ability to intimidate the 49ers as a reason for the upset.
Chmura, now an ESPN Milwaukee radio host, hopes this year's Packers squad will do something similar at Levi's Stadium on Saturday. However, he may have taken things too far.
"You guys are going to think I'm crazy, a 15-yard penalty—and I don't condone this, but I kind of do in the playoffs—a 15-yard penalty for a late hit on Brock Purdy is not a bad thing, as long as it's worth it," Chmura said. "I'm just saying, this is the mindset you go into when it's battle."
Chmura added, "Sometimes a 15-yard penalty early in the game is worth it if you knock the living crap out of the guy."
"You guys are gonna think I'm crazy..." Always a hot start when Chewy starts a thought on @JenGabeChewy with that.
Trust us, you WANT to hear what the big guy says about the #Packers setting the tone on Saturday ⬇️#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/4fstnB13eO
— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) January 17, 2024
Purdy has had a phenomenal season. The second-year quarterback set a new single-season franchise record with 4,280 passing yards.
Purdy spent the offseason recovering from surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, an injury sustained in last season's NFC Championship Game. Rightfully, Chmura is being criticized for his comments.
The 49ers and Packers kick off their Divisional Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on Saturday night.
H/t to Andrew Gould of The Spun for the find.