New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard is expecting to be fined by the NFL for his celebration after a catch against Denver last Sunday that included a gun-like gesture. Lazard described the situation as “very silly” and mentioned that his coaches have talked to him about it, but he has not received any clarification from the NFL on the penalty he received for the gesture. The 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called on Lazard for his actions on the field.
During the Jets’ game against Denver, Lazard caught a 12-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers in the third quarter when he made the gun-like gesture while sitting on the turf to signal a first down. Lazard expressed his disappointment in being the victim of the situation, but acknowledged that it is part of the NFL and adds to the entertainment factor of the game. The NFL has issued warnings to players about not making violent gestures, with several other players receiving fines for similar actions in recent games.
Lazard mentioned that he may reach out to the NFL Players Association or have the Jets’ coaches contact the officials regarding a weekly email that includes missed calls and corrections. He expressed his belief that if he is fined for his gesture, it should be exempted since he was not warned about the specific action. Lazard used the example of implementing new driving rules without informing people, stating that it would not be fair to penalize someone for something they were not aware of.
The wide receiver emphasized that it would not make sense for the NFL to fine him for the gesture without prior warning, as it would go against the principles of fairness in a democratic society. Despite his expectations of receiving a fine from the league, Lazard remains firm in his belief that he should not be penalized for something he was not informed about beforehand. He compared the situation to previous instances involving player celebrations, indicating that fines are likely due to past precedents.
As the NFL continues to emphasize sportsmanship and appropriate behavior among players, incidents like Lazard’s celebration after a catch will be closely monitored for compliance with league guidelines. Despite the controversy surrounding his gesture, Lazard remains committed to his team and his performance on the field. The outcome of the situation will depend on the NFL’s decision regarding a potential fine for Lazard’s actions during the game against Denver.
