Even Green Bay Packers fans must be embarrassed by Mark Chmura's recent comments. In a clip circulating on social media, the former Packers tight end turned radio host appeared to endorse the idea of the Packers taking a cheap shot at quarterback Brock Purdy in Sunday's playoff showdown against the San Francisco 49ers.
"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 during an ESPN Milwaukee broadcast.
He added, "Sometimes a 15-yard penalty early in the game is worth it if you knock the living crap out of the guy."
These comments have not been well-received by NFL fans, including former 49ers defensive lineman Bryant Young. When asked about Chmura's remarks in an interview on Bay Area radio station KNBR, Young was clearly disturbed.
"That's the stuff we don't need to hear or say, whether you want to accomplish that or not," Young declared during the "Murph and Markus" show. "But it don't need to be put out there. And the game is violent and physical as it is without the guys taking cheap shots. But to put that out there, I mean, come on.
"Obviously, you want to play within the scheme of the game and the rules and all those things. And if you're doing your best and the guy happens to get hurt, it can be beneficial. But to absolutely publicly say that, I don't agree with that."
Young was asked how such comments might be perceived inside a locker room. As 49ers fans know all too well, losing a key player like Purdy to injury in the playoffs can completely change the dynamic of a game.
"I think it really adds fuel to the fire," Young said, acknowledging that Chmura is no longer a part of the Packers locker room and is just another outside voice. However, sharing such a distasteful perspective is bound to attract criticism.
"It goes to show you that you have to be careful in what you say publicly," Young added. "And I think these guys are going to go out there and play their very best as fuel for the fire, and they're going to protect themselves. It's going to be a physical game, and you want to try and prevent injuries no matter what.
"And unfortunately, injuries do happen when you're out there playing your best. It's a physical game, but to put a bounty on somebody like that, that's uncalled for."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Young below.