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Bills DT Rookie Faces Backlash for On-Air Expletive After Injury in Loss

Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears, Preseason Week 2, August 17, 2025 at Soldier Field.

Chicago, IL – August 2025

For most rookies, preseason is about learning and growing. But for Buffalo Bills rookie defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, last night’s blowout loss to the Bears turned into a pressure cooker. Sanders struggled on the field, left the game in the second half with an ankle injury, and then let raw emotion slip during a live interview.

“Man, you work your whole life to get here, and then you’re out there, hurting, watching your team get smoked… it’s just f—ing brutal,” Sanders said, still visibly shaken.

The moment went viral — prompting split reactions. Some criticized the lack of professionalism; others defended the authenticity of a rookie grappling with failure and pain.

Pros and cons of Buffalo Bills picking South Carolina football's TJ Sanders  in 2025 NFL Draft - Yahoo Sports

Head coach Sean McDermott offered a measured response:

“T.J. cares deeply. This league is relentless, and sometimes that passion spills over. We'll guide him on how to channel it correctly.”

Bills coach Sean McDermott apologizes for referencing 9/11 hijackers in  team meeting 4 years ago | WXXI News

But the voice echoing strongest in the locker room belongs to veteran linebacker Terrel Bernard, a mentor and locker-room leader. Bernard, fresh off a four-year, $50M extension with Buffalo, offered perspective with the weight of experience:

“You make mistakes when everything hits you at once—injury, tough loss, outside noise. But we’d rather have someone with too much fire than none at all. He’ll learn, and that fire will earn him respect.”

MLB Terrel Bernard, CB Christian Benford to start for Bills in opener |  RochesterFirst

Now, Sanders isn’t just a rookie DT anymore; he’s a young man learning the difficult balance between raw emotion and disciplined leadership—caught between the heat of the moment and the lessons of the locker room.

TIME CHANGE: How to Watch 49ERS vs BUCCANEERS in Week 6 - TV, Streaming, Kickoff Info
We are announcing a change in the schedule for the San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game in Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season. This game has been flexed by the NFL to optimize the broadcast schedule, ensuring the best experience for fans across the United States and internationally. Reason for the Change Optimized Broadcast Schedule: The NFL has moved this game to a primetime slot to attract a larger audience on national television networks. Team Performance: With both teams boasting an impressive 4-1 record after five weeks, this matchup is considered one of the week's most exciting, deserving a high-viewership time slot. Original schedule (before the flex) Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT) on Sunday, October 12, 2025.  pdated schedule (after the flex) Matchup: San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Time: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 12, 2025 (local time in Tampa, Florida, equivalent to 1:25 PM PT) Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida How to Watch (U.S.) TV: CBS — Late national window (4:25 PM ET)Projected crew: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson Streaming: Paramount+ (with Live TV): Streams your local CBS channel (availability varies by market) YouTube TV / other vMVPDs: Watch via your local CBS affiliate (if carried) Out-of-market: NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube/YouTube TV for Sunday afternoon out-of-market games Radio Coverage 49ers (English): Flagships (Bay Area): KNBR 680 AM and 107.7 The Bone (KSAN-FM) Also available via the 49ers Radio Network and the 49ers app/website Example local listing: 1:25 PM PT Buccaneers (English): Flagship (Tampa Bay): WXTB 97.9 FM (98 ROCK) — Gene Deckerhoff, Dave Moore, T.J. Rives SiriusXM: Channel 226 (home-team feed) Bucs Radio Network: Statewide and regional affiliates (full frequency list available via team channels) Note: Over-the-air TV/radio coverage varies by location. Share your city/county and we’ll filter the local listings for you. Betting Snapshot (as of Oct 9, 2025 — subject to change) Spread: 49ers −3.5 Over/Under: 42.5 Moneyline: 49ers −165 / Buccaneers +140Check your preferred sportsbook for the latest numbers. Stay Updated For regional broadcast maps, game-week details, and fan events, visit the official team channels and follow on social media. International viewers should confirm local carriage and blackout rules with their providers.   We look forward to your passionate support for this crucial matchup! Let’s cheer on the 49ers as they continue their journey in the 2025 season!