In this case, the NFL looked past what was on the surface — a video of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson violently shoving a Buffalo Bills fan in Week 1 — and got to the heart of the matter.
In this case, at least, it seems like the NFL made the right decision.
“The NFL will not fine Lamar Jackson for his interaction Sunday night with a Bills fan,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on September 11. “ ‘The matter has been addressed by the club and there is no further action from the league,’ per NFL official Brian McCarthy.”
The moment between Jackson, a 2-time NFL MVP, and the fan occurred following a 1-handed touchdown catch by Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins with 1:33 left in the third quarter. The Bills, who trailed by 15 points late in the fourth quarter, eventually rallied for a 41-40 win.
Jackson and a group of Ravens were behind the end zone celebrating with Hopkins when the incident with the fan occurred, with the fan appearing to have his hands on or in Jackson’s helmet/face area and Jackson shoving the fan back into the stands.
The fan has been indefinitely banned from all NFL games.
Jackson apologized to the fan in his remarks to the media on September 10.
“Just chill next time,” Jackson told the fan. “You can talk trash and stuff but keep your hands to yourself. Stuff like that shouldn’t be happening. It’s not WWE. We’re playing football out here. So just keep it to football. I know guys are going to talk trash. I know the opposing team is going to talk trash. Keep it that way. But keep your hands and keep your objects to yourself.”
Jackson was referring to another moment in the second half when Ravens running back Derrick Henry had several objects thrown at him in the end zone after scoring on a long touchdown run.
The Ravens return home to face the Cleveland Browns for an NFC North Division matchup in Week 2.
NFL Superstars Avoid Severe Week 1 Punishment
Jackson was one of 2 of the NFL’s biggest superstars who avoided any significant punishment following Week 1 incidents.
The other was NFL All-Pro Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who was fined $57,200 — essentially 1 game check — after he was ejected for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 1.
Much of the debate around Carter was as to if he would be suspended for “Spitgate” — the NFL essentially said he’d already served a 1-game suspension because he was ejected just 6 seconds into the game and before either team had even taken a snap.
Ravens Will Make Jackson NFL’s Highest Paid Player
Prescott is currently the highest paid player in NFL history thanks to a 4-year, $240 million contract signed before the 2024 season that pays him $60 million per year.
Jackson should surpass that number with his next contract extension — one that should come after this year even though he still has 2 years (not including 2025) left on the 5-year, $260 million contract he signed in April 2023.
In all likelihood, Jackson’s next deal will be something in the realm of a 4-year, $260 million extension that pays him $65 million per year.
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