A Buffalo Bills fan who struck Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and receiver DeAndre Hopkins during Sunday’s game has been indefinitely banned from Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium and other NFL venues, league officials confirmed on Monday.
The spectator was later ejected, missing the finale of Buffalo’s unlikely comeback victory.
Jackson, who reacted to the swipe by pushing the spectator, has not received any punishment from the NFL, the Bills or the Ravens.
The physical exchange came after Hopkins caught a 29-yard touchdown pass with one hand to give Baltimore a 33-19 lead. A Bills supporter seated in Highmark Stadium’s lower bowl appeared offended by the Ravens’ post-score celebrations and swatted at Jackson and Hopkins as they strolled by.
Stadium security later ejected the fan, according to multiple reports.
“I just forgot where I was for a little bit,” Jackson said after the game. “You gotta think in those situations. You got security out there. Let security handle it. I just let my emotion get the best of me. Hopefully, it won’t happen again. I learned from that.”
The two-time MVP received widespread support on social media, though.
“Lamar Jackson did nothing wrong,” former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III wrote on X. “We have to protect our players on the field of play. … If we aren’t, and the fans have access to players in that way, then we have to allow players to defend themselves, protect themselves.”
The Bills eventually wiped out the Ravens’ lead, winning on a last-second field goal by newly signed kicker Matt Prater.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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