Lions’ Dominic Raiola calls Bears’ Henry Melton ‘a clown’
BY ADAM L. JAHNS ajahns@suntimes.com December 27, 2012 3:02PM
Lineman Henry Melton (69) celebrates with defensive teammates after a tackle for loss against San Diego at Soldier Field Sunday Nov. 20, 2011. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: December 28, 2012 9:32AM
It was bound to happen. A day after Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton called the Detroit Lions “dirty” and singled out center Dominic Raiola as an “old” trash-talker who takes cheap shots, Raiola fired back.
Raiola was asked about Melton’s comments on Thursday
“Who? Who?” Raiola told the Detroit Free Press. “Exactly.
“You’ve got a defense full of superstars and you don’t hear from the guys that carry weight in my book. [Brian] Urlacher, [Lance] Briggs, [Charles] Tillman, [Israel] Idonije, [Julius] Peppers, the guys that have been there. We’re talking about guys who carry weight.
“This guy (Melton)? Not in my book”
Melton was named to his first Pro Bowl on Wednesday, which Raiola didn’t agree with.
“This guy made the Pro Bowl?” Raiola told the Detroit Free Press. “[Over the Minnesota Vikings’] Kevin Williams, who worked through injuries all year. [Over Ndamukong] Suh, who’s a better player than this guy.
“He made the Pro Bowl? Come on.”
Raoila didn’t end there. Melton has missed the past two games with a collarbone injury, but hopes to play Sunday against the Lions.
“It’s tiresome, especially from a guy like this -- a guy that didn’t even play the past two weeks,” Raiola said. “He’s a clown”
Asked about Raiola’s comments later Thursday, Melton took the high road.
“Well, I do have a lot to say about him, but I’ll be the bigger man and let my play do the talking,” Melton said.
