"Put us together, it's like mixing vodka and milk..."
With one line, Prodigy (of beloved New York rap duo Mobb Deep) described how a feud can curdle.
Such a beef can provide fuel, a rush — even a bit of dread. Mostly, though, it entertains. And two of the players in Sunday's NFC championship game are providing everyone with a show.
49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel and Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson have laid the ground for Sunday's clash with trash talk throughout the season.
MOE:Picks, predictions for conference championship games
Here's how the feud between the two stars began.
Deebo Samuel-C.J. Gardner Johnson feud, explained
The beef between Samuel and Gardner-Johnson is a year in the making.
The pair met in the NFC championship game in 2023, with Samuel on the 49ers and Gardner-Johnson on the Eagles. Gardner-Johnson got the win, and Samuel claimed afterward that Philadelphia was his "most hated team" due to the excessive amount of trash talk.
Gardner-Johnson didn't offer an immediate rebuttal, but he found his voice come Week 6 of the 2023 season.
Prior to the 49ers' Week 6 clash with the Browns, Samuel, Trent Williams, Brandon Aiyuk and a host of other Niners got into a small scuffle with members of Cleveland. Gardner-Johnson used a clip of the incident to throw some barbs about Samuel and his perceived toughness.
Never one to back down, Samuel penned a biting response of his own.
Gardner-Johnson replied, telling Samuel that Williams couldn't always protect him. He even used a couple more yawn emojis to get his point across.
For Gardner-Johnson's next act, he took things to Instagram Live. The Lions defensive back claimed that Samuel was easy to guard, among other things.
"Don't be friendly when you see me," Gardner-Johnson said. "Because I can guard you. You can't run routes, you're a running back."
Deebo took the comment in stride, telling NFL commentator Kay Adams that he's unconcerned with Gardner-Johnson.
"He just sound like he's mad I got a little bag and a lot of money and no one knows who he is," Samuel said.
Samuel brushed off the beef again ahead of Sunday's NFC championship game, telling reporters Friday: "I pay that no mind. He just gotta come in and strap it up."
Samuel and Gardner-Johnson will have the chance to settle this feud on the field, just in time for one of the biggest games of the year.