Image via Complex Original
Last night, Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger made headlines when he concussed Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker with a questionable hit, eliciting the first taunting penalty of Peyton Manning’s career. It takes a special kind of person to make No. 18 lose his cool, and Swearinger certainly has a penchant for provocation.
A second round pick in 2013 out of the University of South Carolina, Swearinger took over the starting strong safety spot last season when Danieal Manning went down with an injury during the Texans' Week 6 game against the Rams. Swearinger held down the starting job the rest of the season, finishing with 71 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble, and looks to start again this year with Manning out of the picture.
In terms of his behavior, he actually handled himself on the field pretty well in 2013. Per Pro Football Reference, he received only four penalties all season long, with three of them coming in one game. He relishes hard hits, as proven by both his suspensions as well as his mixtape that contains the aptly-named track "Hard Hitta."
Fledgling rap career aside, Swearinger has been involved in a number of plays that have drawn the ire of opponents dating back to his college days. Here’s a brief look at his major on-field incidents, including last night:
9/15/12: Illegal Hit vs. UAB
This monster hit versus the University of Alabama-Birmingham came during a blowout 49-6 win for the No. 8-ranked Gamecocks. Not exactly great sportsmanship, and the NCAA agreed; Swearinger was suspended for South Carolina's next game.
11/24/12: Taunting vs. Clemson
He definitely gets points for this monster hit on now-Cardinals running back Andre Ellington, but maybe could have done without the flexing.
8/17/13: Breaks Dustin Keller's Leg in Preseason Game
It's never great to be the guy breaking other peoples' bones in preseason. In Swearinger's defense, though, it looked like he was actually trying to avoid hurting Keller by hitting him low rather than going for his head. Whoops.
8/17/14: Starts Fight with Harry Douglas in Joint Practice with Falcons
Two great quotes from Swearinger's outburst during last week's episode of Hard Knocks on HBO:
"Imma knock yo s--- off."
"Imma do yo ass."
8/23/14: Concusses Wes Welker with Shoulder and Forearm to the Head
Another bad-looking hit in a preseason game. This one even prompted Peyton Manning to taunt him with a nice "f--- you!" after the Broncos scored on the next play.