CINCINNATI — Joe Mixon fired back at Bengals fans for booing and leaving early during their 40-17 trouncing by the 49ers in Sunday's home opener and challenged them to try out "if they feel they can do better."
Joe Mixon on fans booing/leaving today's game vs. the Niners. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/umERDsL2rG
— Keenan Singleton (@KJMSingleton) September 15, 2019
"It's definitely frustrating, you know what I’m saying, to see that," the running back said. "We’re down 11 in the second quarter and you just see fans leaving and booing. I mean, that’s frustrating to be able to see stuff like that. At the end of the day, we want to win, too. At the end of the day, if they feel like they can do better, then come try out."
Mixon may have cooled off a few hours later when he tweeted an apology to fans.
To all my fans and Cincinnati fans I’m sorry for the performance that I displayed for the past two weeks. I promise I will get it right and we will be better! #WhoDey
— 💫💰MoneyMakingMix💸💫 (@Joe_MainMixon) September 15, 2019
"To all my fans and Cincinnati fans I’m sorry for the performance that I displayed for the past two weeks. I promise I will get it right and we will be better!" Mixon said.
Mixon, the AFC's leading rusher last season, has been held to 27 yards on 17 carries for a 1.6 yard average.
There was plenty of frustration to go around after the Bengals' 0-2 start. Fans and players alike had higher expectations after a promising 21-20 loss in the season opener at Seattle. Given a chance to show they’re a team on the upswing after three straight losing seasons, the Bengals gave the home crowd of 50,666 more of the same.
“I’ve never understood booing,” quarterback Andy Dalton said. “I don’t know what it accomplishes. But at the end of the day, we have to play better and give them something to cheer for. We want the fans to be behind us.”
