Nick Emmanwori was not shy about expressing the extra motivation he felt going into the "Sunday Night Football" game on Oct. 25.
The Seattle Seahawks safety told reporters after Seattle's 20-3 win over the Kansas City Chiefs that he wanted to shut down former teammate – and current Chiefs running back – Kenneth Walker III.
"I ain't gonna lie I did," Emmanwori said. "I definitely did want to hold him under 100 [yards]. I don't really listen to all the media noise, but that was my motivation. I know a lot of dudes on the defense, that was their motivation, too, to stop him under 100 and play lights out on defense."
Going into the Week 7 "Sunday Night Football" game, the Seahawks hadn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in their last 35 games, including the playoffs. Walker, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, entered the matchup with his former team averaging more than 130 rushing yards per game.
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In an apparent clash between unstoppable force and immovable object in prime time, the immovable object came away the clear winner. The Seahawks held Walker to 36 rushing yards on 14 attempts – the running back's worst game of the season.
"We put on a clinic," Emmanwori said before noting that the defense was disappointed the Chiefs narrowly avoided a shutout. "That was our goal, give them zero. We definitely could've accomplished that. But that just says what type of defense we are."
After the game, Walker refused to shake hands with any of his former teammates.
"(Expletive), we lost," Walker said about his cold shoulder approach, per multiple reports. "I was frustrated. That's about it. I [saw] them over there celebrating and (expletive). That's about it."
Seattle's next test will be shutting down the Chicago Bears' excellent offense on "Monday Night Football" in Week 8. No team is averaging more rushing yards per game than Chicago's 154.3.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs will look to bounce back after their first loss of the season. Their next matchup is on the road for a divisional battle against the Denver Broncos.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Frustrated' Kenneth Walker III didn't shake hands with Seahawks after Chiefs' loss