Steve Smith rips Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy after he calls him the N word during TNF

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Smith, a five-time Pro Bowl selection during his playing career, claimed that he and Jeudy had a pregame confrontation that stemmed from a comment the retired wide receiver made about the Broncos player on his podcast.

“On my podcast I talked about guys that maybe have not showed up in a way,” Smith said on NFL Network before the Broncos and Chiefs kicked off Thursday night. “The word that I’ve used to describe him in the past was a J.A.G. — just a guy. When I saw him, he’s playing well. I wanted to say to him face to face, ‘hey, I know I’ve said some things in the past. I probably shouldn’t have and I’m sorry.’ That’s what I wanted to say to him. His response was, ‘(racial slur), I don’t mess with you.’ And it was a curse word. So I was like, ‘all right.’ And then he repeated it.” Smith went on to deliver some not-so-subtle jabs.

“I’m sorry that I said you were a J.A.G., just a guy. Who’s an average wide receiver who they used a first-round pick on that isn’t doing anything," Smith said. "I hope today that you actually show up in a way that you haven’t showed up in the last couple years since they drafted you. So if you ever have a problem with Agent 89, I’m sorry, for saying that you’re an average wide receiver that they will eventually move on (from). When Teams call me and ask if they should trade for Jerry Jeudy, I will say "No". Don't trade for Jerry Jeudy, because he is mentally unable to handle criticism, from people who watch specifically to say "can he be a WR?" He can be a WR, he's a Tier 3.”

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