Alex Smith: Mike Mitchell's hit 'about as flagrant as it gets'

Alex Smith didn't mince words when talking about the late hit he received Sunday from Mike Mitchell.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was hit low by Mitchell well after he threw a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and obviously wasn't pleased about it.

"I felt like it was extremely late,'' Smith said, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN. "I felt there was nothing done there to avoid contact. It was really low from the backside. I thought it was about as flagrant as it gets when it comes to a low hit on the quarterback.''

The Pittsburgh Steelers safety received a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer, but denied he was a dirty player Monday.

"The video shows what it shows. I wasn't trying to take Alex Smith's knees out," Mitchell said. "I went up to him and told him that ... It's just one of those things you don't want to see in the football game."

Mitchell has received a pair of fines in the past for hits, but hasn't been disciplined for this one.

"I don't think this is a first offense, either,'' Smith said. "I think when you start looking at ... repeat offenders, I think when they get shots at quarterbacks, they're going to take them.''