Lamar Jackson Avoids NFL Sanctions After Incident with Fan
OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will not face disciplinary action from the NFL following the altercation with a Buffalo Bills fan during the 41-40 season-opening loss, a league spokesperson reported Thursday.The incident occurred on Sunday night, when 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 in a red Bills jersey initially hit Hopkins in the helmet before doing the same to Jackson, who responded with a two-handed shove that sent the fan falling backward. The fan was ejected from the stadium on Sunday night and, in addition, was “indefinitely banned from Bills and NFL stadiums,” according to a team official. On Wednesday, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta had a long conversation with Jackson. The team is looking to avoid future altercations like this.“The matter has been addressed by the club and there will be no further action from the league,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote in a statement.
“While we will keep internal matters private, we have implemented additional security protocols, both at home and away, to better protect our players and handle negative interactions with fans in the future.” On Wednesday, Jackson apologized to the fan during his weekly media session and suggested: “Next time, relax. You can talk trash and stuff, but keep your hands still.” Approximately 10 minutes after Jackson’s incident with the fan, Ravens running back Derrick Henry was nearly struck with a frozen water bottle in the end zone on the other side of the stadium following his 29-yard touchdown run in the final quarter. “Things like that shouldn’t be happening. This isn’t the WWE,” Jackson said. “We’re playing football here. So, keep it in football. I know guys are going to talk trash. I know the other team is going to talk trash. Keep it like that. But keep your hands and your objects with you.”“The safety of our players is of utmost importance,” said a Ravens official. “We have spoken with Lamar, who understands the impact of the situation, about the incident.”
