Right now the Washington Redskins are probably rolling over in their beds thinking about they let go of current Chicago Bears safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Especially after their Monday Night Football game.
Against his former squad, Clinton-Dix looked as if he kicked things into an extra gear during the prime time matchup, as he made them pay for letting him walk a season ago. Granted the former Alabama safety wasn’t playing his best football to end the year in 2018. His play did, in fact, force him to sign a one year $3.5 million deal this past offseason. Regardless, he was able to perform like a player worth $30 million last night.
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Clinton-Dix got right to work during the first quarter as he was responsible for the Bears first score of the night when he intercepted a pass from Washington quarterback Case Keenum which he returned for a 37-yard touchdown. But his read didn’t completely revolve around looking at Keenum. It was actually fellow former Alabama safety Eddie Jackson who helped lead him to the play.
Against his former team, @haha_cd6 takes an INT 37 yards for a @ChicagoBears TD! #Bears100
📺: #CHIvsWAS on ESPN
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app⁰
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/dqc4mvJ3lB pic.twitter.com/vv4UxQfuGi— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2019
“All I saw was number 39(Eddie Jackson),” said Clinton-Dix following the game. “I know he has the best vision in the world. I just followed his jersey number into the end zone.”
The safety was especially glad to find his way to the end zone for apparently, it had been quite a long time.
“It felt good,” said Clinton-Dix. “I haven’t had a touchdown on defense since little league. I don’t even think I had one then.”
Clinton-Dix would later run into another interception returning this one 59-yards during the third quarter. He finished the game with a pair of interceptions, nine tackles and two pass deflections.
The Bears signed Clinton-Dix over the offseason with the hope that he could help step in for the big loss of safety Adrian Amos to the Green Bay Packers. But so far this season he has looked like an upgrade at the position. According to Pro Football Focus, Clinton Dix has graded out much better than Amos so far this season and currently tied for second in interceptions in the NFL.
Whether his motivation came from facing his former team or his current contract, it looks like Clinton-Dix is playing with much more tenacity this season.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
