Aqib Talib: 'It's never personal after the game'

New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib has played down a rift with Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith.

Talib and Smith clashed during the Monday Night Football match between the sides, ending with Smith telling Talib to "ice up son" on national television in his post-game interview.

Smith's taunting words have quickly become a catchphrase in Carolina and within the media, however the Patriots man has said that there is 'nothing personal' between the pair.

Talib told the Boston Herald: "Never personal, man. It's never personal. I'm sure if I see Steve, it'd be, 'What's up, how you doing?' It's never personal. "Him and St Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins; that was personal. He didn't say he was going to punch me in my face after the game. He just told me to go get in the tub."

The 28-year-old's comments refer to a rift between Smith and Jenkins which got nasty after Jenkins made derogatory comments about the Panthers player's wife.