Joseph Ossai credited the entire Bengals team with having his back after his costly personal foul penalty late in Cincinnati’s 23-20 AFC championship game loss to the Chiefs.
That said, it was clear that veteran defensive tackle B.J. Hill. offered him the most support following the game.
Hill was among the many Bengals who consoled Ossai after the loss, but he also served as a protectorate of sorts for the young defensive end. He stood by Ossai’s side as the teary-eyed 22-year-old answered questions from the media.
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Hill made sure to note that Ossai “played his butt off” and shut down questions that he believed were unfair to the second-year player. Most of the ones that Hill bristled at were the ones that painted Ossai as the main reason for the Bengals’ defeat.
Below is a look at the scene, as captured by Michael Niziolek of Cleveland.com.
This was the scene at Joseph Ossai’s locker with BJ Hill stepping in to provide support https://t.co/8vn1OOlhOQ pic.twitter.com/nbUnoCkzfp
— Michael Niziolek (@michaelniziolek) January 30, 2023
Hill took time to explain why he felt that it was so important to support — and protect — Ossai.
“Because he’s my brother,” Hill told Bengals.com. “The same thing happened to me a few years ago. I had a chance to win a game and I missed a sack. One person does not lose a game. That’s not going to fly with me. Especially on this team. A great group of guys. He had a great year. One play doesn’t define who you are.”
MORE: Joseph Ossai thanks Bengals for “having his back” after penalty vs. Chiefs
Further, Hill credited Ossai for going all-out in his efforts to stop Mahomes on the scramble. Ossai had acknowledged after the game that he was trying to knock Mahomes out of bounds backward, which would have caused the clock to run out on the Chiefs to send the game to overtime.
“That play right there, he was playing his butt off,” Hill said. “He practices how he plays. No hard feelings about that play. He was playing all out.”
Hill’s support of Ossai was well-received by prominent sports figures including Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari. He credited Hill with demonstrating great leadership while others praised him for being a top-caliber teammate.
I watched the @Bengals game last night & was heartbroken bc I knew how it would hurt Joseph Ossai.
But my new favorite NFL player is BJ Hill, who stood next to Joseph & deflected unfair questions. What a teammate, role model & testament to the culture Coach Taylor has built!
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) January 30, 2023
Love BJ Hill standing by Joseph Ossai during post game interview Sunday…keeping the questions on point. Teammates!
22-year-old Ossai didn’t run away from questions #Bengals @Bengals#NFLPlayoffs @NextRoundLive https://t.co/MYDUas4mAi— Jim Dunaway (@jimdunaway) January 30, 2023
BJ Hill is a great teammate. Respect my man. https://t.co/OtDS0Gjpmo
— Nick Hicks (@PER4ORM) January 30, 2023
love this from BJ Hill. Great stuff. https://t.co/M6NjhT8AjD
— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) January 30, 2023
Huge credit to BJ Hill. Wasn’t just supporting Ossai, but was literally screening questions for him & deflecting stuff he felt was too far.
Ossai was having a really good game+making a positive impact, but makes a terrible mistake late on.
Can’t imagine what that must feel like https://t.co/4QQPVeqdh0
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) January 30, 2023
so much respect to Ossai for facing cameras…and BJ Hill is a real one. https://t.co/S5x4tZrwU3
— shalise manza young (@shalisemyoung) January 30, 2023
My heart breaks for Joseph Ossai who will wear that torturous moment in his head for the rest of his life. BJ Hill is a real one. pic.twitter.com/yccxSQ3KXB
— Jasmine Sadry (@JasmineSadry) January 30, 2023
BJ Hill protecting the mental health of his teammate after a mistake that may have cost them a Super Bowl. Hill told reporters “Any dumb question and I will shut this down.” And stood by Ossai the entire time. https://t.co/dri9prtcab
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) January 30, 2023
This is a wonderful display of humility, humanity, sportsmanship, accountability & grace. My heart breaks for Ossai. Good on Hill for supporting his teammate and friend. https://t.co/qqa8HXTae1
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) January 30, 2023
Ossai certainly appreciated Hill’s gesture. He didn’t call out his teammate by name but noted that he was thankful for the love he received from his teammates following the game.
“It means the world to me. These guys mean a lot to me,” Ossai told reporters. “We come in every single day and we work hard for each other. And to know that they have my back, it’s giving me peace right now for sure.”
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Hill was happy that he could help provide Ossai with that and made it clear on social media that he would do the same for any one of his teammates.
One thing about me I’ll always have my brothas back! People asking stupid ass question got to do better! https://t.co/Oxcpryg4VP
— BJ Hill (@BJHill5) January 30, 2023
“One thing about me I’ll always have my brothas back!” Hill wrote. “People asking stupid ass question (sic) got to do better!”