When the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Eagles and clinched a spot in the Super Bowl on Sunday, everybody on the long-suffering team celebrated. Even Matt Leinart, who's stood on the sidelines for most of the season and post-season, ran up to Kurt Warner with a huge smile and gave the man who stole his position as starting quarterback a huge handshake and hug.
Everybody celebrated, that is, except Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin.
Maybe Boldin should take a lesson in sportsmanship from Leinart. During the game, Boldin got into an argument with Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley. As reported on several Web sites sites, including ESPN's and AZcentral.com, Boldin reportedly stormed off the field after the game, skipping the post-game celebration, and then bolted out of the locker room.
About the incident, Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt told Rotoworld.com, "To my understanding, it's over with. That stuff happens on the field all the time."
But while Haley and Whisenhunt seem to have written off Boldin's behavior, sports pundits like CBS blogger Mike Freeman are calling Boldin a "jackass." Freeman writes, "
In the game, Boldin got into a heated argument with offensive coordinator Todd Haley. After the game, instead of celebrating with his team, Boldin abruptly left the field, then abruptly left the locker room.
Quarterback Kurt Warner also got into an argument with Haley during the game, but he celebrated with his teammates and enjoyed the moment.
"I have to say in nearly 20 years of doing this, I've never seen a player more concerned about his arguing with a coach over making a Super Bowl," Freeman wrote (Read Freeman's entire missive here).
When media members caught Boldin trying to sneak out of University of Phoenix stadium after the game, he handed out quotes like this from SFGate: "I fought. I gave my heart to this organization. It's paying off."
Asked if he would stay in Arizona after this season, Boldin's response was "Next question."
Q, just get over it before the Super Bowl, will ya? Haley probably held you out because you've been injured lately. You're probably not up to peak playing condition.
And, face it, your fellow receivers, Breaston and particularly Larry Fitzgerald have, been playing great.
We just hope it's not jealousy over Fitz's new-found fame that's driving your anger. The Cardinals will need both of you against the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1
