Bengals fans let their feeling be known during win over Browns.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson has stood by his recent comments where he told booing fans to “leave” after Sunday’s game.
The 26-year-old made his initial comments after the 41-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, where he told fans that weren’t happy to leave and take their negativity with them.
Johnson was specifically referring to a passage of play late in the first quarter where thousands of Bengals fans booed Cincinnati’s offense following a third series that ended in a three-and-out.
Quarterback Andy Dalton and his offensive line-up were booed as they jogged off the field, and much of the frustration had been directed at him given his drop in form in recent weeks.
Nevertheless, the Bengals are still unbeaten at home and are 7-4 for the season in the AFC North, with Johnson receiving mixed responses from players and fans on social media networks.
“If you’re not believing and being positive, leave,” Johnson said on Sunday, as reported by ESPN.
“We don’t need you. Because that’s what we’re about around here — staying focused, staying positive and keeping our energy going. Negativity breeds negativity, and we don’t do that around here.”
Johnson reiterated his views the next day, stating that he was speaking “truthfully from the heart”, but admitted that he just wants to win and would want the home support to make life difficult for the visitors and not the hosts.
While he hopes that a line will now be drawn under his comments, the Bengals will be eager to get back to action as they look to further cement their place in the play-offs.
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