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Lamar Jackson Shoves Bills Fan In Retaliation After Being Hit During Game After Ravens Touchdown

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 21: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Lamar Jackson shoved a Buffalo Bills fan who had slapped him and teammate DeAndre Hopkins on the helmet during a third-quarter touchdown celebration Sunday night at Highmark Stadium. The incident occurred after the Baltimore Ravens built a 34-19 lead that later fell to 40-41 after a late-game Bills comeback.

After Hopkins’ one-handed touchdown catch, Jackson joined his team near the stands to celebrate. A disgruntled fan in a Bills Jersey reached over the railing, initially hitting Hopkins on the helmet before doing the same to Jackson. He reacted by giving a two-handed shove, sending the fan backwards.

The fan was ejected from the stadium. On Monday, the NFL announced the unidentified fan was banned indefinitely from all league stadiums.

Jackson, who completed 14 of 19 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns during the game, later stated he overreached.

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“He slapped me, and he was just talking – so I just forgot where I was for a little bit,” Jackson said. “You have security out there; let security handle it. But I just let my emotions get the best of me.”

He added that the incident was not intended to send fans the wrong message. Jackson and his teammates were celebrating a touchdown like any other team.

“Hopefully, it doesn’t happen again. I’ll learn from that,” Jackson said.

The Ravens seemed to be in control of the game after Hopkins’ wild score and another drive that elongated the lead to 40-25 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Unexpectedly, Bills quarterback Josh Allen quickly led two touchdown drives and set up placekicker Matt Prater for a 32-yard field goal as time ran out. The results marked the Bills with one of the most dramatic comebacks during Week 1, ending in a 41-40 win.

The incident underlined the emotional intensity of NFL games and raised questions about the boundaries between players and fans. The Ravens are shifting all focus toward Week 2 as the team regroups after the gut-wrenching opening loss.