Sunday Football Night in America host Chris Simms delivers the pregame show before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.(Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)During halftime, Simms was asked to put himself in Moore's shoes and provide his take based on experience.
After explaining that it was a "Debbie Downer moment" because no one likes to see someone get hurt and carted off the field.Fans and teams want to play at full strength.
Then he shared something personal his dad told him in college after being announced as the starting quarterback for the University of Texas, "Christopher, when you get out there running around, make sure you get down in time, and don't take any big hits." Simms went on to say after explaining how defenders are essentially foaming at the mouth waiting for the chance to hit the QB in the open field, "You want to slide in plenty of time to keep your body safe." It was an informed, common sense statement, based on his unique, relevant experience, but that didn't sit well with many Oregon and college football fans outraged online.Quarterback Dante Moore of the Oregon Ducks runs with the football and slides to avoid a tackle from linebacker Desman Stephens II of the USC Trojans during a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sept.26, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif.
(ISI Photos via Getty Images)OREGON DUCKS QB DANTE MOORE CARTED OFF THE FIELD AFTER A VICIOUS HIT TO THE HEAD AGAINST USCSimms further analyzed the incident by explaining how hard the game is one defensive players nowadays."You have to have a soft spot in your heart for defenders right now," Simm stated.
"You gotta think, Dante Moore is 6'3" 220 pounds, he's running at you, the defender [Desman] Stephens is bracing himself, getting ready to get low to make the tackle, so yes, you as a defender, have to know in this day and age that you have to be careful with the quarterback.But I would also say, Dante Moore slide very late, and kind of...