Golden Tate was credited with the game-winning touchdown catch Monday night against the Green Bay Packers, but his week hardly has been an extended victory lap.
The Seattle Seahawks wide receiver has dealt with plenty of negativity since he got his hands on M.D. Jennings' apparent game-ending interception.
"I've been called a cheater, I don't have any dignity, I'm not a Christian, a lot of hurtful things," Tate said, via The Associated Press.
Tate acknowledged he committed offensive pass interference by shoving Green Bay's Sam Shields, but he says the suggestion that he planned to cheat is wrong.
"I can't control what other people say or do," Tate said. "I personally felt like I had the ball at that time, and looking back just off of what I remember, I felt like I had the ball in my hands. We both competed for the ball, and the call ended up going our way and won the game. We're 2-1 now, time to move forward. The Rams (Sunday's opponents) are the most important thing right now."
"I thought he handled himself as well as he could considering the craziness of the circumstances," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said of Tate. "I've been with him. He's one of my guys that I hang around with a lot, and we've gone through this to make sure he's solid and all. I think he's going to be just fine. I think he's very humble and excited to be in this opportunity."
You have to wonder what Seahawks team will show up when they travel to St. Louis this weekend. It's a short week unlike any they've ever dealt with. The Rams might be catching a division rival at the right time.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.
