Following a tense overtime defeat against their NFC South rivals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers captain Sam Franklin Jr. had to be held back from confronting players in the Buccaneers' locker room. A video circulating on social media shows Franklin's frustration directed specifically at Bucs linebacker Jose Ramirez, with Franklin shouting, "Tell 33 I'mma see his a--! On my grave, boy!"
The exact trigger for Franklin's outburst remains unclear, with Panthers staff intervening to steer him back towards his own team's locker room. The heated rivalry was further highlighted by a separate incident where Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard was seen yelling at the Panthers' locker room immediately after Franklin's display.
The post-game tension followed a dramatic overtime finish. After a missed 55-yard field goal attempt by Tampa Bay, the Panthers seemed poised for victory. However, a fumble by Carolina's Chuba Hubbard, recovered by the Buccaneers, swung the momentum. Tampa Bay capitalized on the turnover, securing the 26-23 win with a successful 30-yard field goal.
This victory puts the Buccaneers in a tie for first place in the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons, who lost earlier that day. The intensity of the game mirrored the high stakes often seen in college football rivalry week, demonstrating how the pressure mounts as the NFL regular season nears its end.
The on-field competitiveness clearly boiled over into a post-game confrontation in the tunnel, underscoring the fierce rivalry between these two teams.
