Lamar Jackson is not going to be disciplined by the NFL for shoving a Buffalo Payments fan who slapped the helmets of the Baltimore Ravens quarterback and teammate DeAndre Hopkins throughout a recreation Sunday evening in Orchard Park, N.Y.
“The matter has been addressed by the membership and there’s no additional motion from the league,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy stated in a press release emailed to The Occasions on Thursday.
A Ravens spokesperson stated in a press release emailed to The Occasions on Thursday that the state of affairs had been dealt with internally.
“Our gamers’ security is of the utmost significance,” the crew spokesperson stated. “We’ve spoken to Lamar, who understands the impression of the state of affairs, concerning the incident.
“Whereas we are going to maintain inner issues personal, we have now carried out further safety protocols — each at dwelling and on the highway — to raised defend our gamers and deal with destructive fan interactions transferring ahead.”
Jackson and Hopkins had been celebrating with teammates after they connected for a 29-yard landing reception late within the third quarter to offer the Ravens a 34-19 lead. The gamers exited the again of the top zone and ended up close to stands, the place a male fan reached out and slapped Hopkins and Jackson on their helmets.
Jackson gave the fan a tough shove with each palms. Whereas the fan was ejected from the sport, and later indefinitely banned from all NFL stadiums, Jackson was not disciplined in the course of the recreation.
The 2-time league MVP later expressed remorse for his actions.
“I seen him slap D-Hop … and he slapped me and he speaking, so you understand I simply forgot the place I used to be for somewhat bit,” Jackson informed reporters after the Ravens’ 41-40 loss to the Payments. “However you bought to assume in these conditions. You could have safety on the market. Let safety deal with it. However I simply let my feelings get the most effective of me. Hopefully, it don’t occur once more. I discovered from that.”
Addressing reporters the subsequent day, Ravens coach John Harbaugh expressed help for his quarterback.
“Lamar’s down there celebrating a landing along with his teammates identical to you’re purported to do,” Harbaugh stated. “You discuss celebration and we would like our guys to rejoice with each other. That’s the entire concept. I suppose I didn’t know you’re not allowed to go near the stands to do this with out being attacked by a fan. …
“It’s unlucky that it’s best to even be in that state of affairs. I don’t know the way any of us would reply in that second. I feel it might be one thing the place we in all probability can be eager about defending ourselves. I do assume that. We’ve to know that. You possibly can at all times say, ‘Hey, I’d wish to deal with that somewhat higher.’ However that’s a shock when that occurs in that second, I feel, for anyone.”
