Lamar Jackson Apologizes, But Asks Fans to Stay Calm: NFL in the CROSSHAIRS

Lamar Jackson Apologizes and Sends a Message to the Bills Fan

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson offered an apology to the Buffalo Bills fan he shoved during Sunday night’s game. However, the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player also had some words of advice.

“Just relax next time,” Jackson said after Wednesday’s practice. “You can talk trash and stuff, but keep your hands still.”
Lamar Jackson

The incident occurred during the Ravens’ 41-40 loss in Buffalo. Jackson was celebrating with his teammates near the front row of Highmark Stadium after throwing a 29-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins in the third quarter. A fan, wearing a red Bills jersey, initially hit Hopkins on the helmet before doing the same to Jackson, who responded with a two-handed shove that sent the fan falling backward. “It just happened,” Jackson explained. “I was pushed. I was like, what? I wasn’t even thinking about being out there on the field. My apologies to him.” Jackson mentioned that he has not heard from the league about possible disciplinary measures. The NFL has not commented on the altercation. The fan was ejected from the stadium on Sunday night and has been “indefinitely banned from Bills and NFL stadiums,” according to a team official. Approximately 10 minutes after Jackson’s incident with the fan, Ravens running back Derrick Henry was nearly hit with a frozen water bottle in the end zone, at the other end of the stadium, following his 29-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

“Things like that shouldn’t be happening. This isn’t the WWE,” Jackson said. “We’re playing football here. So stick to football. I know guys are going to talk trash. I know the opposing team is going to talk trash. Let it stay like that. But keep your hands and your objects to yourself.”
Lamar Jackson

Jackson spoke extensively with Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta about the incident. He also spoke with coach John Harbaugh about what happened.