Photo Credit: Assocoated Press
Lamar Jackson is taking responsibility for his actions after a heated moment on the field. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback, 28, has issued an apology to the Buffalo Bills fan he shoved during the third quarter of the Ravens’ Sunday Night Football matchup at Highmark Stadium on September 7. The incident unfolded when the fan reached over the railing and slapped the helmet of Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, then appeared to make a move toward Jackson himself. Reacting instinctively, Jackson pushed the fan back with both hands — something he now admits was not the best response.
Speaking after Wednesday’s practice, Jackson reflected on what happened and made clear he regretted letting his emotions get the better of him. “It just happened,” he explained. “I got pushed. I’m like, ‘What?’ I wasn’t even thinking about being out there on the field. My apologies to him.” The quarterback also offered some advice for the fan involved, saying, “Just chill next time. You can talk trash and stuff but keep your hands to yourself.”
The NFL moved quickly after the incident. A spokesperson confirmed to NBC News that the individual was ejected from the stadium and has been banned from attending all future NFL games and major league events, including the Super Bowl, the draft and the combine. The league also released a statement underscoring its zero-tolerance policy for unruly behavior, noting that penalties for such conduct can include ejection, lifetime bans and even legal consequences.
Although Jackson pushed the fan, he did not face any penalty during the game, nor has the league imposed discipline on him since. ESPN reported that the Bills fan was escorted out of the venue, while Jackson finished the game — which ended in heartbreak for Baltimore, as Buffalo staged a dramatic last-minute comeback to secure a 41-40 victory.
After the game, Jackson admitted he allowed frustration to take over in the moment. “He slapped me, and he was talking s---, so I just forgot where I was for a little bit,” he told reporters. “You have to think in those situations. You have security out there; let security handle it. But I just let my emotions get the best of me.” He added that he hopes to avoid similar situations in the future, saying, “Hopefully it doesn’t happen again. I learned from that.”
