Khalil Mack Made It Crystal Clear He Dislikes Being “Tickled”
Khalil Mack is one of the baddest men on the planet these days. A terrorizing pass rusher who strikes fear in offensive tackles and quarterbacks. He has three sacks in three games with three forced fumbles to go along with them. If not for a penalty in Washington, he’d have four of each. At age 28, he’s in his prime and playing better football than any edge rusher in the NFL. This is done by working and playing harder than anyone else.
Mack is also a favorite among celebrities. Among the most vocal is NBA superstar LeBron James who gave the Bears star a shoutout on Twitter during his dominant performance in Washington on Monday Night Football. Mack later responded his appreciation. This led to a question from the Chicago media on Friday and perhaps one of the most awkward moments the man has yet experienced in an interview this season.
It came courtesy of JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports Chicago. Suffice to say, Mack is not the sort of guy who likes having the word “tickled” anywhere near his vocabulary.
Khalil Mack does not fall in the category of whimsical
Mack, of course, took it in stride. He loves getting love and respect from other great athletes as anyone would. Yet the fact remains his focus is where it always is. On the next game. He made it clear his mission is to win a championship this year. If that means he must dominate every single snap, then so be it. This he has done. There hasn’t been a tackle he’s faced yet this season who has been able to even slow him down. Never mind stop him.
His next challenge will be Brian O’Neill and Riley Reiff of the Minnesota Vikings. Not exactly the cream of the NFL crop. It will come down to whether the Bears can halt the incredible start had by running back Dalvin Cook, who is averaging a whopping 6.6 yards per carry. Limiting his effectiveness will force Minnesota to throw the ball, and that will open the door for Mack to do his thing.