Many NFL fans are adamant that New York Jets linebacker Chazz Surratt should have been flagged during the game-winning overtime punt return against the Buffalo Bills Monday night.
The officials did not throw a flag, but the league office threw out a mea culpa Saturday, fining Surratt $4,833 for tripping Bills tight end Quintin Morris.
It’s an insignificant amount, really, given the importance of the play and the critical nature of the block. Morris was in position to tackle Jets punt returner Xavier Gipson, until Surratt tripped him. Either way, Gipson’s TD would have been nullified by the penalty.
JETS WALK-OFF PUNT RETURN TD WITH JOE BUCK ON THE CALL! 🏈🎙️🔥 pic.twitter.com/b91VIXO7SS
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 12, 2023
In related news, Jets linebacker Quincy Williams was fined $26,666, for two separate unnecessary roughness plays against the Bills.
After the game, many Bills fans were unhappy about the missed call on Surratt, and the NFL’s decision to fine Surratt a token amount a few days later didn’t satisfy anyone.
The NFL fined Jets LB/special teamer Chazz Surratt $4,833 for "unnecessary roughness" for what was the unflagged tripping on the game-winning punt return TD Monday night. The fine is proof the NFL believes a flag should have been thrown on the play pic.twitter.com/gKOzHtLd4A
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) September 16, 2023
Still think it was a guy trying to jump over a falling guy and not a trip.
— jeff notch (@jno0207) September 16, 2023
So he’s being fined the equivalent of a tip on his salary? That sends a loud and clear message.
— Der Schuss wird Sie befreien (@justexcel) September 16, 2023
Wwwooooowwww!!!! They don’t call it but they still fine him! Damn!
— Andrew Hernandez (@watandrewh) September 16, 2023
The trip wasn’t even intentional and was just part of the flow of the game. I don’t see why they needed to fine him.
— RG | Brizzy. (@BrizzyDaGoat) September 16, 2023
NFL never makes sense, ever. So this checks out ig
— Mitch Boisel (@mitchboisel) September 16, 2023
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.