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Texas S Michael Taaffe reveals the incredible negativity directed at him after Peach Bowl targeting call

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brian Davis | Last updated Jan 6, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Everybody had an opinion about Michael Taaffe’s huge hit in the Peach Bowl. And apparently, they went to great lengths to let the Texas safety know about it.

Taaffe described the incredible amount of negative commentary directed his way in the aftermath of UT’s overtime win over Arizona State.

“I think first, thank God that I don’t have to have my foundation and the opinion of others, the approval of man or the game of football, because the things that were thrown my way after that game on text, people that are finding my phone number on social media, I don't think anyone should ever have to go through,” Taaffe said.

“So thank God that I don't put my trust in what others say about me.”

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Sun Devils fans were furious that Taaffe wasn’t called for targeting with 1:10 remaining for his hit on Melquan Stovall. It would have given Arizona State a first down at a time the offense was driving for a potential win. Instead, replay officials determined Taaffe did not commit targeting, and ASU had to punt.

Texas wound up winning 39-31 in double overtime and advancing in the College Football Playoffs.

“Now, the second thing, I said a prayer for that guy,” Taaffe said. “Number five, it took him a long time to get up from that hit. And I know it's football but I wanted to pray for him, and I hope he's doing OK, because you never want to see anybody go down on the football field.

“Now, the third thing I’ve always been taught all my life to whenever you’re tackling, tackle with your eyes up,” Taaffe continued. “If you’re head’s ever down, then your neck is going to get injured. So I always try to tackle with my eyes up, and I always try to wrap. And I think that’s what I did on that play.

“I had my eyes up and I wrapped, and I left it up to the officials. So I’ve got to probably get my pad level down a little bit more. But I tackled with my eyes open and I wrapped. So when your eyes are up and you're wrapping, that’s fundamental football. That's what you've been taught since the second grade.”

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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