Many NFL fans reacted with disbelief Saturday after the NFL fined a couple of players for their actions in Week 18. The NFL fined Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams $18,566 for “unsportsmanlike conduct,” for thrusting his hips after scoring two touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers.
Meanwhile, Packers linebacker Quay Walker got fined $13,261 for shoving a Lions athletic trainer who was trying to tend to an injured player on the field.
“The NFL fined Lions RB Jamaal Williams $18,566 again for excessive sexiness – excuse me, unsportsmanlike conduct – as a result of his hip-swiveling TD dances in last Sunday night’s win over the Packers. No flags were thrown,” tweeted NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The NFL fined #Lions RB Jamaal Williams $18,566 again for excessive sexiness – excuse me, unsportsmanlike conduct – as a result of his hip-swiveling TD dances in last Sunday night’s win over the #Packers.
No flags were thrown. pic.twitter.com/Xf5KhUF12b
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 14, 2023
The disparity in the fines seemed jarring. Williams, of course, was fined for the same actions earlier this season, leading to the higher amount.
But fans pointed out that shoving an athletic trainer is a far worse transgression. And certainly more deserving of a higher fine. (Never mind that the incident occurred after trainers were celebrated as heroes for helping save Damar Hamlin’s life.)
Pro Football Talk tweeted, “The NFL fined Lions running back Jamaal Williams more money for celebrating a touchdown than it fined Packers linebacker Quay Walker for shoving a Lions trainer who was trying to treat an injured player in the same game.”
The NFL fined Lions running back Jamaal Williams more money for celebrating a touchdown than it fined Packers linebacker Quay Walker for shoving a Lions trainer who was trying to treat an injured player in the same game. https://t.co/3ayMZ37au4
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 14, 2023
A fan tweeted, “He really got fined more than Walker.”
he really got fined more than Walker
— will: Riley Greene Truther (@wrhiv_72) January 14, 2023
Luke Peterson tweeted, “So he got fined more than Quay Walker who pushed a trainer … for doing a hip swivel. Gimme a break.”
So he got fined more then Quay Walker who pushed a trainer…for doing a hip swivel. Gimme a break.
— Luke Peterson (@LukePetee12) January 14, 2023
One fan noted, “The NFL should lighten up with fines for celebrating in the end zone after a TD, especially if there’s no physicality against the opposing team.”
The NFL should lighten up with fines for celebrating in the end zone after a TD, especially if there’s no physicality against the opposing team. Why shouldn’t players who risk serious injury every time they get on the field have a little fun……Also no flags were thrown.
— THE INVISIBLE MAN🤔 (@saldon1201) January 14, 2023
“J. O. K. E.,” tweeted John Gill.
J.
O.
K.
E.— John Gill (@JGeeWillikers) January 14, 2023
