Terry Bradshaw accuses Falcons HC Arthur Smith of blatantly lying to his face

The NFL great was angry at Arthur Smith for disrespecting his quarterback.

Terry Bradshaw accuses Falcons HC Arthur Smith of blatantly lying to his face

Terry Bradshaw and Arthur Smith (via AP/ SI)

The Atlanta Falcons is one team that has always been hard to determine if the team will have a good year or a bad year. The team’s season starts with a bang and then eventually dies down into something mediocre at best or just goes into a downward spiral.

The coaching has often been the cause of the team’s struggles. Arthur Smith has earned more critics than fans and his decision making is the cause of it.

The list of critics includes NFL legend Terry Bradshaw, who did not mince his words while calling out the Falcons HC on his decision to name Desmond Ridder as the team’s starting QB but then backing out on his word.

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This season, it has been Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder who have led the team’s offense. However, in week 11, Arthur Smith decided to stick with Desmond Ridder as his QB1 for the rest of the year.

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This was not for long as Smith went back to Taylor Heinicke after the team had a rough game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16. Terry Bradshaw blasted the head coach and stated he did not respect him as he lied to his quarterback.

I have no respect for Arthur Smith. Messed with that young quarterback Desmond Ridder like that, and you set him back. Play the young man. Leave him alone. Don't lie to him. And (Smith) lied to him. And he needs to get his butt whooped! Nothing upsets me more than when someone lies to me.
Bradshaw stated on FOX’s Sunday broadcast of the game

Arthur Smith backed up from his word after realizing his job is on the line

Terry Bradshaw believes Arthur Smith gave in to pressure from the front office management and that had a large part to play in his decision to renege from his word to Ridder. 

Someone upstairs said, 'If you don't win out this year, you're gonna lose your job Arthur Smith.' And he benched him.
Desmond Ridder
Desmond Ridder was promised by Arthur Smith to be the Falcons’ starting QB for the rest of the season. (via Sports Illustrated)

Unfortunately, Arthur Smith is not the only Head Coach who would be guilty of having backed down from his word to one of his players. This has become a common occurrence in the NFL because ultimately it is a business.

While coaches try to do their best to stick their end of the bargain, when push comes to shove, no coach is going to sacrifice his entire career just to keep up their word. This is why, in the NFL, when you are promised something, always take it with a grain of salt.

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