Packers' Quay Walker apologizes for shove that earned ejection
Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker has apologized after he was ejected from Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Detroit Lions for shoving a member of the Lions' medical staff.
"I want to apologize publicly about what happened Sunday night," Walker said via a post shared on Twitter, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "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."
Walker also apologized to the Lions and their entire training staff.
As ESPN's Rob Demovsky noted, Walker made unnecessary contact with a medical staffer who was trying to treat injured Detroit running back D'Andre Swift with 7:24 remaining in the contest. Jamaal Williams of the Lions scored a short rushing touchdown to finish that drive and give Detroit a 20-16 lead that the visitors held onto to eliminate the Packers from the playoffs.
Cameras caught an emotionally distraught Walker heading toward the locker room shortly after his ejection.
The rookie addressed his actions while speaking with reporters Monday:
Walker referenced making "another stupid decision" because the 22-year-old was tossed from Green Bay's loss at the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 30 after he curiously and needlessly shoved an individual on the Buffalo sideline:
"I've got a much higher standard for our players than to do silly things like that," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said of Walker's latest incident shortly after Sunday's defeat. "I mean, we've had a guy get ejected twice. I don't think I've ever seen that in my career, and we've got to be much more mentally tough."
LaFleur also labeled Walker's mistake as "unacceptable. "
Smith mentioned in a different piece that he feels Walker, the No. 22 pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, should be suspended for shoving a medical professional attempting to care for an injured opponent.
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