Panthers' Eric Reid Responds to Tweet Controversy Following Late Hit on Benjamin Watson

Even in the preseason, Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid couldn't help but get far too physical to the point where it bordered on dangerous. Reid speared into New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson's head after he was already down, which will likely incur a serious fine.

Reid spoke to the media after his hit and dispelled the notion that his violence against Watson was related to the veteran tight end calling Reid out on Twitter for his response to his views on the NFL's social justice initiative.

"I didn't even know he tweeted me," Reid said. "That's not even something you process in a game. I'm not analyzing who has the ball in their hand and what they tweeted at me while I'm playing the game."

Reid sounded remorseful but not overly apologetic, claiming that his play was par for the course in a football game.

"Just trying to stop him from getting a first down," Reid said. "I looked at the replay. Yeah, he was down. We'll see what the league decides to do with it. I anticipate myself getting a fine. But I'm just playing the game."

Reid's hit was without a doubt on the dirty side of things, but if you're going to take him at his word, there was no malice involved and it was merely the result of going full speed in a football game.