Some lessons last a lifetime. Others continue until they are faced with a dilemma again.
Such is the case with Bengals cornerback Eli Apple. Apple, who made waves last season by relentlessly mocking the Chiefs after the Bengals beat them in his AFC Championship game, scored a winning touchdown in the Super Bowl, but the experience I didn’t seem to learn anything from
After the Bengals defeated the Bills in this year’s divisional round, Apple took to Twitter to ridicule the emotional response to those who criticized his reaction to the loss of Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
He also appeared to swipe Bills’ Dummer Hamlin, using Hamlin’s signature heart hand as an emoji.
Cancun on 3 🫶🏿 https://t.co/oOHSw1AMsT
— Eli Apple (@EliApple) January 24, 2023
MORE: Isaiah McKenzie details conversation with Stefon Diggs after losing Bills
“One, two, three, cancun!” is a reference to the taunting cry that originated with Nick Van Exel. In 1998, Van Exel was deeply rooted in meme history before memes even existed.That’s when Van Exel announced before Game 4 of his Western Conference Finals against the Jazz, “Cancun! Instead of ‘Lakers!’
As a result, NBA players frequently troll each other. Patrick Beverly is perhaps the most infamous example, trolling Damian Lillard in 2020. Perhaps that’s why it was a top priority for Apple.
But Apple was just getting started. While the Bengals were preparing for the Chiefs, his entire timeline was retweeted with memes mocking Diggs and Josh Allen, and it was also noted Diggs yelling at Allen on the Bills’ sidelines.
Someone Gets Them In Couples Therapy @Joshua Allen QB When @Stephon Diggs I will make amends to God 🙏🏿 https://t.co/MIOzAuWdbF
— Eli Apple (@EliApple) January 24, 2023
Apple has been testing the waters for a revival of trash talk for some time now. He and the Bengals defense took aim at Tom Brady after the Bengals defeated the Buccaneers after Brady called them “pretty tough.” Apple replied, “The future is now, old man.”
After the Bills game, Apple played pretty good every game, causing a key pass breakdown on 4th down, but he was clear about his feelings.
Eli Apple leans against the wall blowing a cigar on every question, repeatedly professing the best defense in the league.and about the summary #bengals locker room.
“We’re just the best.” – Apple pic.twitter.com/dW3tYNdF5I
— Paul Denner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) January 23, 2023
Apple is sowing seeds now, but reaping isn’t all that fun.
Unless the Bengals win the Super Bowl this season, we can expect similar results from him. Especially when he seems to be mocking a problem as serious as Hamlin’s on-field collapse that happened to his team just a few weeks ago.
