Former CFL linebacker Alex Singleton will be a persona non grata in Houston for the foreseeable future after engaging in a heated exchange with Texans’ rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
On fourth-and-two from his seven-yard line, the now Denver Broncos’ defender was drawn offside on a blitz by a false start from left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Singleton continued to the QB and finished with his hands on Stroud, delivering a firm shove as whistles blew. That triggered a fiery reaction from Stroud, who got in the Canadian’s grill with a headbutt before his offensive linemen stepped in to settle the matter.
ALEX SINGLETON PUSHING CJ STROUD
STROUD GETTING IN HIS FACE pic.twitter.com/YjHArcY0bs
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 3, 2023
The altercation required several moments to settle but Singleton received the lone 15-yard penalty, erasing Tunsil’s previous infraction and giving Houston a new set of downs. Two plays later, the Texans capitalized with a touchdown run from Dameon Pierce.
The incident generated some buzz on social media, with most commenters praising the young Stroud for his seemingly veteran attempt to draw a penalty. Houston Texans legend J.J. Watt addressed the situation during his segment of the NFL on CBS halftime show, backing his former team’s quarterback to the delight of his fellow panellists by saying, “This is H-Town. We stand on business.”
The Texans held on for the 22-17 victory as Jimmie Ward picked off Russell Wilson in the end zone with nine seconds remaining. Stroud finished the game completing 16-of-27 passes for 274 yards and one touchdown, while Singleton led his team with 11 tackles and one sack.
Stroud was selected with the second overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and has taken the NFL by storm as a rookie. Entering Week 13, the 22-year-old had completed 249-of-391 passes for 3,266 yards, 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions, while rushing for 132 yards and three more touchdowns.
Singleton signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension with the Broncos this offseason, marking his second year with the team and fifth in the NFL. In 11 games this year, he has amassed 110 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries — the fourth straight season in which he has surpassed the hundred tackle plateau.
Prior to joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019, Singleton was a first-round pick of the Calgary Stampeders in the 2016 CFL Draft. He recorded 123 tackles over his final two years in Canada and earned the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 2017.
The Broncos (6-6) face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, December 10 at 4:25 p.m. EST, while the Texans (7-5) will clash with the New York Jets at 1:00 p.m. EST the same day.
