Madison Beer has found herself at the center of an ugly debate after former NFL safety T.J. Ward linked Justin Herbert’s shaky start to the season to his relationship with the singer-songwriter.
Ward, a former Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos defensive back and Super Bowl champion, went after Herbert’s personal life on the Speakeasy podcast while discussing the Los Angeles Chargers quarterback’s slow opening to the year. The Chargers came into the season with big expectations, particularly on offense with Herbert working under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, but they’ve dropped their first two games by identical 26-14 scores to the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders.
Herbert has struggled in both outings since getting engaged to Beer during the offseason. Beer has been a visible presence at SoFi Stadium supporting him, but Ward argued the relationship was getting in the way of Herbert’s work.
Speaking on the Speakeasy podcast, Ward said: 'When you get a girl, the little extra time you demand spending on your craft, she's demanding it. There's going to be a downfall coming. You're going to get worse.
'The time you're on the couch watching film, she's gonna be all up under you. The time you spend your Friday nights at home, she wants to go to dinner.
'The time you're rehabbing or staying late in the facility… now, you've got to go home and kick it with your girlfriend, especially if she's famous. Now, you've got cameras on you. Your offseason is in Europe and taking photoshoots….
'As soon as you start having a lack of success, Justin, this girl, Beer, she's using you, buddy. She's going to be out of there… Get back on your craft. She's ruining it.'
The reaction was swift, and plenty of fans felt Ward had crossed a line by dragging Herbert’s relationship into a football conversation.
'Speaking on another man's future wife and relationship is disgusting,' wrote one social media user. 'Please delete this platform.'
'This was so weird,' said one, and another added: 'Always keep it between the lines… always in the field and what the film shows… never bring something from the family or personal stuff,' commented this user.
'By this logic, everyone in the NFL should be single because their girlfriend could be a distraction,' replied another fan.
Former NFL player Breidan Fehoko, who spent three seasons with Herbert on the Chargers, also pushed back hard on Ward’s comments. He said: 'Lame… All you clowns at Speakeasy… Give a sports opinion, cool.
Y’all got no clue how to read a room… Stop talking about people’s family. If it’s football, leave it at that.'
Herbert and the Chargers will try to turn things around on Sunday, though the road ahead does not get any easier.
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