Bijan Robinson apologized on social media for his remarks on the postgame show. Kim Klement Neitzel / USA Today
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson apologized for using a homophobic phrase on the “Thursday Night Football Nightcap” show following Atlanta’s 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
When Robinson joined the show, analyst Richard Sherman pointed to a standout play from the running back and said his ability to maneuver around tackles reminded him of backyard football.
“You had a play where they threw it to you, Bijan,” Sherman said. “They threw it to you in the backfield, you made the first one miss, then legged three people. And I said, ‘This boy grew up in the backyard.’”
Robinson seemed to understand the sentiment. However, he used a derogatory term associated with an informal “keep-away” game.
“Smear the queer, that’s what we do,” Robinson said.
As soon as Robinson said the phrase, the broadcast referred to the game instead as “kill the carrier.”
Robinson later apologized on social media for using the slur.
“I want to apologize for the insensitive comment I made in the broadcast,” he wrote on X. “It was a football game we used to play as a kid but that’s not an excuse. I recognize the mistake and make sure to do better in the future. It was not reflective of my beliefs and I am so sorry to those I offended seriously!”
Hey everyone I want to apologize for the insensitive comment I made in the broadcast, it was a football game we used to play as a kid but that’s not an excuse. I recognize the mistake and make sure to do better in the future. It was not reflective of my beliefs and I am so sorry…
— Bijan Robinson (@Bijan5Robinson) December 12, 2025
The Falcons mounted a 14-point fourth-quarter comeback Thursday night, capped off by a Zane Gonzalez game-winning field goal as time expired. Robinson finished with 175 total yards, including eight catches for 82 yards. He ranks third in the NFL this season with 1,174 rushing yards.
