Anquan Boldin Doesn't Celebrate Win

As the Arizona Cardinals celebrated on the field yesterday after winning the NFC Championship and punching their Super Bowl tickets, one player was conspicuous by his absence: Anquan Boldin.

During the fourth-quarter drive on which the Cardinals scored the game-winning touchdown, the FOX cameras caught Boldin in a screaming match on the sideline with Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Whatever Boldin was upset about during that game-winning drive (a time when most football players would have been jubilant, not angry), he was still upset after the game, and he didn't stick around for the post-game celebration.

A few reporters managed to catch up to Boldin after the game, and when he was asked whether he wanted to remain an Arizona Cardinal, he only offered: "Next question." Mike Freeman was on the scene and writes that Boldin is a "jackass" who "tried to ruin the Super Bowl celebration with his childishness."

Look, we know Boldin was playing through pain in an injured hamstring. And we know he isn't happy with his contract, which pays him a lot less than fellow wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. And we presume he isn't happy with the fact that he isn't the No. 1 option in the passing game, although he did have seven balls thrown his way (Fitzgerald had 11). But shouldn't Boldin be happy that he and his teammates are in the Super Bowl?

NFC Championship Images

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell celebrates after the NFL NFC championship football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 32-25. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Matt York, AP

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on in the second quarter during the NFC championship game against the Arizona Cardinals on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Donovan McNabb

Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb fumbles as he is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defender Adrian Wilson in the third quarter in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. The ball was recovered by the Cardinals. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree218948) [Photo via Newscom]

Lucy Nicholson, Reuters

Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald reacts after catching a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during fourth quarter in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree219025) [Photo via Newscom]

Mike Blake, Reuters

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: Running back Edgerrin James #32 of the Arizona Cardinals uses a stiff arm to get by Quintin Demps #39 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Edgerrin James;Quintin Demps

Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images

Philadelphia Eagles receiver Jason Avant (C) loses a second quarter pass on third down as Arizona Cardinals defenders Aaron Francisco (L), Ralph Brown (2nd-L) and Adrian Wilson (R) move in during the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree218860) [Photo via Newscom]

Robert Galbraith, Reuters

Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson (L) gathers a fourth quarter touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals defender Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (R) falls in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree218997) [Photo via Newscom]

Lucy Nicholson, Reuters

Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald reacts after his third touchdown reception in the second quarter of play as Philadelphia Eagles defender Sheldon Brown stands at right in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree218890) [Photo via Newscom]

Lucy Nicholson, Reuters

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie lies in the end zone after his team's win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. The Cardinals will face the AFC champions in the Super Bowl in Tampa. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree219073) [Photo via Newscom]

Robert Galbraith, Reuters

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

1-19-2009 @ 8:56AM

soccerced said...

Anquan Boldin who? I'd give my left testicle to be in his shoes and be able to celebrate WITH my teammates! Let him work next to my wife job and see if he's underappreciated she's a RN and they are definitely under paid!!!!

1-19-2009 @ 9:13AM

Kathy said...

AB was an idiot before the season started. He's TO in a Cardinal's uniform.

1-19-2009 @ 9:44AM

jimadamsdc said...

Another over paid adolescent that won't get it until he ruins his carreer, screws up a team, or never gets "it", and blames it all on "them".

1-19-2009 @ 10:23AM

Bo said...

i'll take him on the Browns. he's a great receiver and tough, something the Browns need

1-19-2009 @ 10:54AM

spctchr said...

Poor little Anquan. He doesn't want to be part of the Cardinals celebration. He doesn't want the offensive coordinator to call the plays. Give him his wish! Trade him today! Don't give him the chance to put on a Super Bowl Champions ring. What, you say he can't be traded now? Let him ride the pine at the end of the bench. Then, trade him!
I bet the Lions would listen to a trade offer. Anquan Boldin, and a draft pick for their number 1 pick. He could become the "star" that the rest of the Lions revolve around. It would even be the basis of a new star classification. The "me" class star.
Kathy, he isn't T.O. in a Cardinals uniform. T.O. would have been there to celebrate, and party!

1-19-2009 @ 11:05AM

Xenophon said...

Good. Put him on IR for the Super Bowl, sit his selfish butt on the bench, and trade him right after the game. Don't give him the benefit of dwelling on him and his childishness for the next two weeks by cutting him now.

1-19-2009 @ 11:06AM

furrsher said...

Why all of a sudden is the media referring to games as "meetings"? Absurd!!

1-19-2009 @ 11:10AM

gravellewin said...

I am sure that there are players on the Cardinals who do not buy in to Kurt Warner's belief that it is more important to win as many to Jesus as possible, not to throw touchdown passes. But this is the position and platform he has been given. Anquan Boldin is all about himself, Kurt is all about others, and helping his teammates achieve worldly success. Go to kurtwarner.org for what he is doing to help in practical ways!

1-19-2009 @ 12:32PM

Ray said...

he will appreciate winning when he plays for yje lions catch a 150 balls and end 0-16 for the season see what he likes more

1-19-2009 @ 12:42PM

soulcitysigma1914 said...

lol, i've never heard of a "sore winner" before.

1-19-2009 @ 12:48PM

williebsblnut said...

big baby i want the ball give me the ball just enjoy it your going to the frigging super bowl

1-19-2009 @ 12:49PM

basman1234 said...

They (Cards)won the game and are in the super bowl now. Every kid who plays little league DREAMS of playing in the super bowl and making the game winning catch/throw/tackle/field goal... That's why we all played... some were good enough to keep moving up in competition most weren't. AB should be glad to be going to the "show". I saw the sideline fiasco, what an a--hole with the way he behaved. I think the term is "ingrate".

1-19-2009 @ 2:26PM

hafttwo said...

anquon owens?

1-19-2009 @ 2:28PM

ou812msb said...

you guys are idiots...how many nurses work with their jaws wired shut? hes not just playin with the hurt hammy,the guys jaw has been wired shut since the illegal hit he took from the jets....how many times have you heard his name in the news for trouble issues,once?he's twice the receiver T.O. is or ever will be.when T.O. yells on the sideline you idiots say hes being competitive...we dont know what was being said, are we gonna take the word of some sideline reporter whose hatin cause hes an eagles fan? give the guy a break.......

1-19-2009 @ 4:56PM

rkbujinkan said...

Wah already. AB is just a spoiled rotten little baby and he is mad because all the attention is going to the better reciever. Get rid of him. AB is not qualified to hold TO's jock.

1-19-2009 @ 2:41PM

coachelite said...

The COWBOYS will trade TO for BA

1-19-2009 @ 2:53PM

Jan said...

Anquan's behavior was childish and stupid. No one player can take credit for a victory like that, the underdogs beating the favorites. He better look up the word "team" or be branded a new TO but whatever he does, an apology is in order for those who did not pitch a fit and got it done.

1-19-2009 @ 3:25PM

serzane said...

if the cardinals don't want Q we'll take him in Oakland, he kinda has a reason to be mad but he shouldn't throw fits like a kid he did sign the contract so why is he crying about it...