Allen Lazard’s immediate reaction to finger gun celebration fine

The New York Jets have a knack for shooting themselves in the foot. In the team’s Week Four loss to the Denver Broncos, wide receiver Allen Lazard took the expression a step further when he was flagged for a finger gun celebration. The penalty cost the Jets 15 yards and derailed a promising drive with a little over a minute remaining in the third quarter.

The veteran wideout acknowledged the situation and its likely outcome. “It’s something very silly… I expect the NFL to fine me just from the history of situations like this,” Lazard said, per the New York Post. Despite anticipating a fine – and even citing a history of fines in similar circumstances – Lazard added, “I’ve gotten zero clarification from the NFL… Now, my coaches have come up and talked to me individually. It’s very unfortunate that I’m the victim of the situation.”

The thing is, Lazard isn’t the victim of this situation. The NFL does not allow gun-related celebrations. The topic has already come up this season. It made headlines just two weeks ago. Atlanta Falcons’ wideout Drake London celebrated his game-winning touchdown in Week Two against the Philadelphia Eagles with a gun shooting gesture. London’s Monday Night Football pantomime drew a 15-yard penalty and ultimately triggered a $14,069 fine from the league.

Still, Lazard, for some reason, does not appear to understand. “If I am [fined], they are definitely going to exempt it… It wouldn’t make sense to fine someone for something you never warned them [about]. It’s like implementing a new driving rule: If you are driving down the street with only one hand, you never told me I can only drive with only two hands. That’s unfair. That’s not a lawful democracy in that sense,” he said, via the New York Post.

Jets WR Allen Lazard is ready for a finger gun fight