Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, formally introduced as a member of the Buccaneers on Friday, says his “dirty player” reputation has become “irrelevant” to his life and he believes people should get to know him before discerning what type of person he is, Jenna Laine of ESPN reports.

“I think when you look at people in general, you’ve got to get to know them, you’ve got to have face time with them, you’ve got to be able to have the opportunity to interact with them,” Suh said. “Before you pass judgment on somebody, always take the time to get to know them, meet them, have coffee with them, whatever it may be and then be able to go from there.”

“I think when people have seen blips of me … it’s been in a negative light, rather than a positive light and that’s due to outlets of media, social media, whatever it may be. I can deal with that because I know who I am as a person, I know who my parents are, what kind of child they brought up — it’s irrelevant in my life. I think the people that know me the best see me always in a good light and see the troubles and tribulations that I’ve gone through, as any human being goes through in their lives.”

Since he was drafted in 2010, Suh has accrued 71 accepted penalties, more than any other player in the league, and has been fined $336,098, not including lost wages from suspensions, according to ESPN Statistics & Information.

The most notable incident — when he stomped on the arm of a then-Green Bay Packers offensive lineman in 2011 — involved Evan Smith, who is now Suh’s teammate with the Buccaneers.

“I think that was in the past and it will remain in the past,” Suh said of the incident. “We’ve interacted with each other multiple times throughout [the years]. He was actually the second guy I got to speak to when I got here today, so I don’t see any issue with it. I think people want to make it bigger than what it is. I’ll leave it at that.”

Coach Bruce Arians added: “They were hugging coming down the hallway together so I don’t think there’s any problem. We’re all here to win, and once you’re in the same locker room you can forget all the past stuff. Some of that stuff happened a long time ago and I don’t really care. That doesn’t bother me. The way he plays football — I like that. So he’s a good fit for us.”

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Ndamukong Suh has been a busy man. The star defensive tackle recently got engaged and signed a new contract with the Buccaneers.

Suh didn’t visit the Bucs before inking his deal, as he’s currently in France celebrating his engagement, but the 32-year-old spoke with coach Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and likes with what Tampa is trying to build, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

Suh spoke to the Tennis Channel during the French Open about his new job — his first comments since signing his contract.

“I’m very excited,” Suh said. “I actually had the opportunity to talk very deeply with (defensive coordinator) Todd Bowles as well as Bruce Arians, two elite coaches that I’ve had great interactions with in years past. I like being part of things you can build and be able to put them over the top. Hopefully my talent, as well as all the other guys — former Nebraskans, Lavonte David — we can play together and change the game there, and get us to a winning situation.”

Tampa has a big hill to climb in the NFC South to get Suh back to the playoffs, but the defensive tackle could help boost a Bucs defense with plenty of holes to fill.

“This week was a big week,” Suh said. “I was very blessed to have the new contract and go to the Bucs and go down there, but I have a fiancée now. I proposed, and got down on a knee, and she’s here with me and we’re enjoying this great country. She’s a great woman. She’s been by my side for many, many years. We grew up together, to say the least, and I’m very, very blessed, to say the least as well.”

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New Buccaneers defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh signed with the team without either visiting or working out as he is currently in France celebrating his recent engagement but nevertheless he says he is excited at the prospect of playing for defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and head coach Bruce Arians according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.com.

In attendance at the French Open, Suh talked to Tennis Channel, and he said he thinks he can be part of a change in the culture in Tampa.

“I’m very excited,” Suh said. “I actually had the opportunity to talk very deeply with coach Todd Bowles, as well as Bruce Arians, two elite coaches that I’ve had great interactions with in years past. I like being part of things you can build, and be able to put them over the top. Hopefully my talent, as well as all the other guys — former Nebraskans, Lavonte David — we can play together and change the game there, and get us to a winning situation.”

The 32-year-old Suh went t0o the Super Bowl as a member of the Los Angeles Rams last season but drew surprisingly little interest on the free agent market before signing his one-year, $9.25 million contract to join the Bucs on May 21. He should be a great fit for Bowles’ defensive scheme.

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The Bucs have added a big addition to their pass rush today, as the team reached a deal with former Lions and Rams defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

Buccaneers officially have reached agreement with former Rams’ DT Ndamukong Suh on a one-year, $9.25 million deal that with incentives is worth up to $10 million, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 23, 2019

The 32-year-old had 4.5 sacks last season for the NFC Champion Rams, in nine seasons he has 56 total sacks with four forced fumbles.

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Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and the Buccaneers are finalizing a one-year deal, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Suh would replace Gerald McCoy, who was released by the Buccaneers on Monday. Suh (second) and McCoy (third) were taken with consecutive picks in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft.

Suh was interested in playing for Tampa’s new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, the source said.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians was asked about Suh earlier on Tuesday. “I can’t talk about him. He’s not on my team,” Arians said.

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