Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams received a harsher punishment for dancing than Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker did for shoving a trainer.
The Detroit Lions did end their season on a high-note after they eliminated the rival Green Bay Packers from playoff contention. But, it was soured considering the Lions also missed out on the playoffs due to the Seattle Seahawks defeating the Los Angeles Rams. The officiating in that game was criticized by fans, and even rival executives. Those executives believe the calls in that matchup helped the Seahawks win, thus costing the Lions their first playoff spot since 2016.
Now, there is even more reason for the Lions fanbase to be angry with the NFL.
The league issued their punishments on Saturday, and it was determined that Detroit running back Jamaal Williams was fined $18,566 for his hip-swiveling celebrations on both of his touchdowns in the Packers game. Williams wasn’t penalized for either dance during the game.
Meanwhile, Packers rookie linebacker Quay Walker was fined $13,261 for shoving a member of Detroit’s training staff.
Jamaal Williams fined more for TD dance than Quay Walker did for shoving trainer
You read that correctly, a player was fined more for a touchdown dance than a player for shoving a trainer.
The incident involving Walker occurred in the second half after the training staff checked on running back D’Andre Swift, who was elbowed in the head by defensive lineman Jarran Reed (which was not penalized). As Dr. T. Sean Lynch went to check on Swift and tried to get past Walker, the rookie linebacker pushed him in the back. Walker was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and ejected from the game.
This was the second time that Walker was ejected for shoving. Back in Week 8, Walker shoved an inactive practice squad player on the Buffalo Bills. That earned him an ejection as well.
Walker apologized the day after the Week 18 game on Twitter, expressing regret for his actions. Here is what he said in his tweets:
“I want to apologize publicly about what happened Sunday night. I reacted off of my emotions again and take full responsibility of making another stupid decision. Since then I’ve questioned myself on why did I do what I did when the trainer was doing his job!! I was wrong!!
“I understand I have to face everything that comes with the decision I’ve made and I’m definitely paying for it now.
“Also to explain my frustration in the tunnel. I wasn’t upset about being kicked out, I just knew I messed up again and was wrong for what I did and couldn’t believe I did it again. To the Detroit lions and to the entire training staff including the person I did that too.I’m sorry.”
Williams was fined $13,261 for doing his hip-swiveling celebration back in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings. The dance was attributed to the Hingle McCringleberry skit from “Key and Peele,” but Williams said he was doing it for years. That, and he said he did this celebration in the past, but never got penalized for it.
The NFL handed out the punishment, and it really stood out that William’s touchdown celebration received a higher-priced fine than Walker, who was ejected for pushing a member of the training staff.