Keyshawn Johnson: “Wave The White Flag”
October 27th, 2024
Offers take on Chris Godwin injury.
For former Bucs wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, it is clear.
In the mind of man who helped the Bucs win their first Super Bowl, Keyshawn Johnson, Bucs coach Todd Bowles cost Chris Godwin his contract season, untold millions of dollars and perhaps Tampa Bay’s chances of reaching the Super Bowl.
While Ryan Clark of BSPN was outraged that any of the Tampa Bay pen and mic club would have the nerve to question Bowles on Monday night about why the Bucs were playing to win, Johnson said had he been a media executive in Tampa, he would have ordered them to get to the bottom of why Bowles didn’t quit.
“Why is he out there?” Johnson said of Godwin on “Speak” seen weekdays on FS1, the network that transports hollering shows into your living room all day, every weekday.
“Wave the white flag. It’s over.”
Johnson thought it was “cool” that Bowles thought he could still win, but he added that “most” coaches would know better and not risk their star players that they would need in a stretch drive to the postseason or perhaps, beyond.
“It could happen,” Johnson said of a possible injury to a key player. “See, I’m a ‘could’ guy. What if? I’m a big ‘what if’ guy. What if you leave Chris in and he gets hurt?”
“Speak” host Joy Taylor tried to interject and started, “But… ” and Johnson interrupted.
“NNNOOO!” Johnson hollered. “Ain’t no ‘but!'”
Look, here is the way “this Joe” sees it: Yes the Bucs had a chance to win. Joe has seen stranger things happen in football in a final minute. And football players get hurt. It’s a physical game, despite what Roger Goodell thinks.
Joe has no problem with playing to win. And if you don’t have your best (healthy) players on the field, you aren’t playing to win.
(Joe has no problem with tanking, either, so long as it gets you the player you covet in the draft. You’re either playing for the Super Bowl or you are playing for the draft. That’s it.)
Joe’s biggest issue with all of this? Where was Bowles’ passion and desire to win when the stakes were significantly higher in Detroit last January — when he very much threw the towel in on a game that could have propelled the Bucs to the NFC title game?
"Why was he out there? The game is over. Wave the white flag."@Keyshawn had an issue with Todd Bowles keeping Chris Godwin & the other Bucs' starters in during the final minutes pic.twitter.com/Up0iXaeY6m
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) October 22, 2024
October 27th, 2024 at 12:24 am
It’s not so much that he was in there, but how the Ravens were playing at the time. You can’t throw a ball to an open receiver with 2 guys waiting to tackle. Either throw hail marys or to the sideline etc. Hind sight is 20/20 of course, but after the failed 2 pt conversion even Lamar and Henry were on the sideline laughing at the tactic.
My bigger concern is Evans being lost to an AFC team with a game for 1st place the following week. Why he played hurt is beyond me!!! Bowles deserves everything coming his way.
October 27th, 2024 at 12:40 am
If Joe hadn’t gone to Detroit, Pbnj would have. Bowles is constantly revealing lessons he hasn’t learned. He’s a bottom of the barrel head coach. We know the roster was capable. Bowles takes steps in all directions but always seems to find his way to mediocrity.
October 27th, 2024 at 12:43 am
Play to win. Godwin Evans they all wanted to play hurt it not. Fans can sit here act like they know what’s best. Any fan who has bin an athlete and the love for their sport knows we play thru the pain to win. Doesn’t always happen but tru pros like Evans and Godwin baker lvd don’t ever want to come off the field. Can’t blame them.
October 27th, 2024 at 1:22 am
The game was over the bucs got embarrassed on Monday night football he should not have been in the game #!! What game were you all watching it was 41 18 at one point #!!
October 27th, 2024 at 1:24 am
Thank you Joes.
Now ask Todd why his pass defense has been making the same mistakes over and over and over and over again for three years, especially when they play the cover three shell. Bowels, the man, the myth, the legend, has become an old wives’ tale.
October 27th, 2024 at 1:42 am
The bottom line is you could not win the Division or go to the playoffs based on winning this game. BUT……. YOU CAN THROW A SEASON AWAY< so it was not worth it, PERIOD.
YES YOU PLAY TO WIN….. CHAMPIONSHIPS, this game would not equal a championship, but right now 4-6 is staring this team in the face….
YES YOU PLAY TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS, WHY THROW A CHAMPIONSHIP AWAY, CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE WHY YOU PLAY,
IDIODIC TO HAVE CHRIS IN THERE TO WIN A BATTLE???? BUT LOSE THE WAR!!!!
YOU PLAY TO WIN THE WAR, and LIFT UP THE LOMBARDI TROPHY.
October 27th, 2024 at 1:57 am
I don’t blame Bowles… It’s a tough game. And, he decided to do what he did. But, I do believe it is more than fair to question him. I said all during the week that I would’ve sat Mike Evans until after the Bye-Week, because rest is THE ONLY way a hamstring is getting any better. I would’ve considered only using him inside the RedZone or as a decoy ONLY, if he couldn’t damage it any worse. Tho I’m sure that Aikman just wanted to get the hell outta there and go home for the night, even HE was questioning WHY Bowles had Baker and the rest of the start players still in the game at that time. My big thing is why the risk (you knew the game was long over), when you’ve already lost MIKE for God knows how long!? It was almost as if Todd was trying to save face by making the score appear to be closer than it really was on a ‘nationally’ televised Monday Nighter. Especially, since his past antics haven’t shown the same type of urgency in similar situations.
October 27th, 2024 at 1:58 am
If, if it’s and buts were candies and nuts,
We’d all always be having a merry Christmas.
Dandy Don Meredith
Everyone get over last week. It’s done.
October 27th, 2024 at 2:38 am
All good, we push through f u todd
October 27th, 2024 at 2:38 am
P o s
October 27th, 2024 at 2:46 am
Theres a time to hold them and a time to fold them. Down 41-17 in the 4th quarter is a time to fold them. 0 chance they could win.
October 27th, 2024 at 2:52 am
Why does anyone listen to Keyshawn? He’s the epitome of talent with no heart.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:25 am
Nobody can predict injuries or that Chris may have been injured by an illegal tackle. The Bucs hadn’t played up to expectations through much of the game.
So IMO they were playing to win and also the chance to put up a fight and not
quit, as a longtime Bucs fan who has witnessed quite a few drubbings , I respect that.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:35 am
Why not pull Wirfs, Baker, and all the running backs, too? Any and all could be hurt.
October 27th, 2024 at 6:07 am
Seems we have a fan base full of quitters.
October 27th, 2024 at 6:11 am
I guess if the Falcons are leading by 10 with a minute to go. We will pull all of our starters and play our backups.
That’s the mentality of LOSERS
October 27th, 2024 at 6:35 am
“Joe has no problem with tanking, either, so long as it gets you the player you covet in the draft.”
I find that offensive. You play to win the game. That mindset makes a mockery of the game and everyone who shows up for it, fans and players alike. It’s literally a loser mentality. Please understand I love this site and the excellence in reporting and journalism you always work tirelessly to provide. We are all lucky to have you guys. Sans the play-to-lose speak.
P.S., it was a mistake to have the starters in the game at that moment. Rotating backups still doesn’t mean you’re playing to lose though.
October 27th, 2024 at 6:42 am
For the record n u newest Bucs fans, truth be told, Keyshawn didn’t help the Bucs win the SuperBowl, it was the likes of players such as Joe Jurevicious, Keenan McCardell, Mike Alston, Mike Pittman, n the Bucs defense. Keyshawn had a habit of fumbling n complaining n for the record had the Bucs been behind in a game by two touchdowns with 10 minutes left in 4th quarter, Mr “throw me the dang ball” Keyshawn would’ve quit without being taken out the game.
October 27th, 2024 at 6:47 am
@JoeBucsFan.com says:
“Joe’s biggest issue with all of this? Where was Bowles’ newfound passion and desire to win when the stakes were significantly higher in Detroit last January when he very much threw the towel in on a game that if the Bucs won, would have propelled them to the NFC title game?”
Joe, the answer lies within your statement.
He didn’t have that passion at the time. So he threw in the towel and got crucified for it.
I was one of the many who crucified him.
He obviously learned a lesson from that, which given how stubborn he is about most things, is a step in the right direction.
I’m heartbroken over what happened to Chris. Especially for him and his family, but also for the team. If Mike and Baker are the heart of the offense, Chris is the engine that drives it forward.
I consistently vote “little confidence” in Todd Bowles.
But, I can’t crucify him for this. And I disagree with Keyshawn.
Bowles was playing to win. He was doing what the Detroit lesson taught him. We crawled our way from 41-17 to 41-31. Sadly, one of the side effects will cost one of our star players and the team, dearly.
The best any of us can do is hope that the “next man up” philosophy really works and a few of our guys who are going to be thrust into more prominent roles really do step up.
And I pray that Chris makes a full and speedy recovery and goes on to be wildly successful in whatever he chooses to do, come next year.
October 27th, 2024 at 6:51 am
Go put your jersey back on & get on the field Keyshawn & then maybe we won’t have to wave the white flag. It wouldn’t hurt if you got back on the field anyway because it looks like you need to start social distancing from the refrigerator.
October 27th, 2024 at 6:56 am
The Ravens sat Jackson. That was a sign this one is over let’s not get anyone hurt here. It’s like big brother telling little brother, enough already, keep swinging, and you’re going to get smacked. Little brother Bowles couldn’t stop swinging, and Godwin got smacked.
October 27th, 2024 at 7:12 am
The week prior, I didn’t want the players left in at the end of the game because I wanted to “win”, I wanted to open up a huge can of whoop-a$$ and dominate!
No one was b*tching the week prior, were they?
The only player I wish was benched during the Ravens game was Roquan Smith! Godwin’s injury was Harbaugh’s fault! He should have pulled his best defensive player! I mean, what if Godwin would have dislocated Roquan’s ankle?!
October 27th, 2024 at 7:29 am
Its time to regroup. Until the bye it’s not going to get any easier. This game kinda counts double. Bowles regrouped the team last year. Can he do it again? If not he will be helping Trump on the French fry machine. Maybe he can teach Kamala to help too.
October 27th, 2024 at 7:29 am
Tony says: Go put your jersey back on & get on the field Keyshawn & then maybe we won’t have to wave the white flag. It wouldn’t hurt if you got back on the field anyway because it looks like you need to start social distancing from the refrigerator. 😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝
I agree Tony, it looks like he’s in love with his refrigerator n probably every available Buffet on his way to work.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:26 am
Godwin should not have been in the game period !! The Ass whipping was thorough and complete ! Evans has been struggling the last two games and should have been sitting as well ! This all falls on the coach … bottom line !
October 27th, 2024 at 8:35 am
I’ve always liked Baker Mayfield and his approach to the game of football. Now he get fined almost 12 grand for twisting Roquan Smiths face mask early in the third quarter last Monday night. You’ve got to admit it’s hard not to like him.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:39 am
I wish he’d of ripped it off and bludgeoned him in the head with it like Myles Garrett did to Mason Rudolf several years back.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:43 am
Everyone is complaining about TB leaving Godwin and others in the game with less than a minute on the clock, but Noone is questioning Ravens for having Roquon Smith out on the field…. If Keyshawn is this big “what if ” guy then what if Roquon Smith wasn’t on the field.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:43 am
And if Keyshawn Johnson was bludgeoned in the head with a helmet it might knock some sense into him. But probably not.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:44 am
The Bucs are now a Tier 3 team. They will finish 5-12 at best. Britt didn’t all of a sudden get bad, he’s BEEN slow and unable to play full time as MLB. The edge rushers didn’t all of a sudden get bad. They’ve BEEN bad. The D-line didn’t all of a sudden get thin. They’ve BEEN thin. There’s a deadly stubbornness in the FO that has ignored these issues in HOPE that the players will magically get better. They haven’t and won’t. It was proven that the Bucs can’t compete with a Tier 1 team like Baltimore. Major changes have to happen. Simple as that.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:55 am
If you complained about how the detroit playoff game played out, you CANNOT complain about this game.
You can’t have it both ways.
No could, should, would, but or what if…..
YOU. PLAY. TO. WIN. THE. GAME.
p.s – know that Balt pass D is trash, right? It was doable.
Oh, & if Brady was here, we’d done the same thing. And if not, we’d all be screaming why did they concede!?!
October 27th, 2024 at 8:58 am
Chuckie!
October 27th, 2024 at 9:00 am
Ain’t this Meshawn talking? The greatest WR to ever play NFL Football? Was he not alsontold to hit the showers, and then stay home for half a season? Yeah, Mr. “Wave the white flag” took his pouty attitude and his Buc checks back home to the west coast… YAWN!!! MESHAWN says what? Quit when you’re down, no need to play to win. As long as those Buc checks kept on a coming. What again did Meshawn do after his Buccaneer Super Bowl win? Got a talking nfl gig.
October 27th, 2024 at 9:04 am
I see a lot of people sore that Godwin was in so late. I’m not too angry about it. I thought we had a slight chance to win. Stuff happens. Maybe a little more repetition in practice will hone up Palmer and McMillon. With the way our defense is blowin’ chunks we need at least 35-40 points.
October 27th, 2024 at 9:15 am
I can’t believe how dumb the coaching has been the last two games. Like the other person said the same could have happened in the saints blowout.
The world saw we could have won that game. If it wasn’t for the two picks and dropped TD. No need to actually win it. That game meant nothing!! And now the Super Bowl changes are slim to none! Gosh!
October 27th, 2024 at 9:24 am
Meshawn is a POS of course he’s going to say that, he never really worked hard his whole life. If he put any effort into being a receiver, he would’ve been in the Hall of Fame. He was a non-worker.
October 27th, 2024 at 9:33 am
Keyshawn who????
Oh you mean that washed up player we picked up during our Super Bowl run BITD. Don’t remember him being anything but a C+ receiver
October 27th, 2024 at 9:37 am
Chris has the same moxie as Baker. If Bake kept playing, so would he. I doubt Godwin is upset with Bowles.
October 27th, 2024 at 9:55 am
Maybe ungodly CG14 insisted on playing in the final minutes. He’s not psychic and had little reason to suspect Harbaugh going low and season-ending dirty hit on him. So, well, the Ravens are the latest Stupid Bowl darlings. They have to get by the Chiefs and Bills. Karma will be a b1tch if it catches up with them.
October 27th, 2024 at 10:05 am
Beaver Bowles….leave it to Beaver. He will do it every time. Another 1st magnitude blunder.
October 27th, 2024 at 10:10 am
Show. Me The Tds is right. In all sports you play to win the games and to win championships. You play till the bitter end.
Go Bucs!!
October 27th, 2024 at 10:15 am
lol damn Keyshawn you won’t even give them a one game try? Bowles is useless that’s true but maybe these players will go out there and destroy Atlanta for Mike and Chris
October 27th, 2024 at 11:13 am
1000000% on the Detroit playoff game. Gutless and cowardly.
As for MeShawn- that’s not surprising, dude always cared about himself more than the team.
October 27th, 2024 at 11:16 am
34-10 beginning of 4th quarter. Again no score from us in the 2nd and 3rd quarter. Ravens scored from 2nd to 4th. The signs to rest starters were there. It’s an 17 weeks season. We still lost being reckless.
The time to get our starters off the field when the Ravens score again and we struggle to stop them on defense. Defense doesn’t usually get better that late in the game due to fatigue and other factors. We would basically be exchanging TDs with no stops on our parts, while struggling to score on them and losing time as well. Which ultimately happened as I explained. Defense wasn’t good enough to take that risk at all. Pride always comes before the fall.
October 27th, 2024 at 11:56 am
Its over with. Forgetaboutit..please. Our only mission should be to whip the Falcons. Thats it. Thats all that matters. Lose to them and they will in all probablity become the conference champs. I really do loathe you Coulda/Woulda/Shoulda guys. Its past. You cannot change it. Attack and Fire them Cannons. Take no Falcons prisoners.
October 27th, 2024 at 12:23 pm
Vanessa Anne
You stole the words right out of my mouth.
I could not have said it any better.
Excellent post!
October 27th, 2024 at 12:33 pm
Live and learn if we won and Godwin still got hurt would the narrative be the same what if we won and Godwin still got hurt
October 27th, 2024 at 12:39 pm
They had already recovered an onsides kick, and that likely changed Bowles’ calculus on what was possible at the end. I applaud the never say die approach. Although, ironically, the successful recovery simply lowered the chances of it happening again.
October 27th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
I gave Bowles credit for getting us to the playoffs last year, but he has officially worn out his stay. If I was a player on this team I would question every decision he makes going forward. The game was done and over with and CG should not have been out there with ME already hurt. In typical Bowles fashion he showed us again why he is known as a, “meat head” and unable to make solid game time decisions. He needs to go!
October 29th, 2024 at 1:17 pm
I don’t know why everybody is questioning Bowles decision to keep Godwin on the field. He made it clear Goodwin WANTED to be on the field at that time. Time would be better spent trying to understand why our defense is unable to get to a quarterback. I don’t ‘t believe the Bucs defense got a hand on Cousins even 1 time during that game on Sunday. Questioning why a great player chooses to be on the field is a stupid question honestly. But asking why our defense can’t get to a quarterback under the leadership of a ” defensive genius” needs to be addressed.
October 29th, 2024 at 1:24 pm
I don’t
October 29th, 2024 at 1:27 pm
Questioning why a great player WANTS to be on the field is pointless. Asking why a defense can’t get to a quarterback under the leadership of a ” defensive genius ” would be much more worthy of addressing.