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Headbutt-gate: Johnny Hekker claims he is innocent

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Kayanja | Last updated 10/16/23

Johnny Hekker earned himself a primetime slot in the next WWE matchup during the Carolina Panthers' 42-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Following a punt in the second half of the contest, the Panthers' grip on the game already slipping, Hekker let his frustration get the best of him.

Hekker headbutted Miami Dolphins linebacker Cameron Goode, but not really. After the game, Hekker said the entire event was a flop.

“DOWN GOES FRAZIER!”

-Kevin Harlan on the Johnny Hekker headbutt

pic.twitter.com/VLIceViEOJ
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 15, 2023

"Faux Headbutt-Gate is what it should be," Hekker said. "I barely touched him. I walked up to him face-to-face, but I mean, you can't.

"I know I can't put myself in this position to even go back after guys. It's never worth it. Kids, if you're out there, just walk away; it's the right thing to do. I knew that as a kid, and I just forgot that in my frustration."

Panthers punter Johnny Hekker tells me it wasn’t a head butt, but it was a great acting job. pic.twitter.com/3cS7y65MjM
— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) October 15, 2023

Hekker went as far as to say their heads barely touched.

“Our face masks barely touched,” Hekker said. “The guy, I’m not sure if he practices that or how he sold it so well, but legitimately, I barely even noticed our helmets touched. I wish nothing ill against him. It is what it is. I put myself in that situation. I engaged with him in that way. Just embarrassed that I put the team in that kind of situation.”

Headbutt-gate is on, and Hekker is looking for a slot on the next WWE main-card event.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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