A Green Bay Packers player was ejected after shoving a Detroit Lions trainer on the field as he attended to an injured player.
Rookie Packers linebacker Quay Walker was kicked out of the game Sunday night after the incident, marking the second time he has been ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct this season.
#Packers first-round rookie LB Quay Walker has been ejected for shoving a member of the #Lions training staff.
Clear and obvious.pic.twitter.com/qxm9ycHt8I
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 9, 2023
Walker was captured on video pushing the Detroit athletic staff member who had run onto the field to care for an injured Lions player.
“That’s ridiculous,” NBC analyst Mike Tirico said during the game’s broadcast as the replay showed the reason for Walker’s penalty and ejection.
The action led to a detrimental penalty against the Packers during the fourth quarter. The Lions soon scored a touchdown to put the team ahead 20-16, defeating the Packers and ending their hopes for the playoffs.
“I’ve got a much higher standard for our players than to do silly things like that,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said following the game. “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.”
Walker later took to Twitter to issue an apology for his actions.
“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!!” he tweeted.
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!!
— Quay (@QuayWalker_) January 9, 2023
“I understand I have to face everything that comes with the decision I’ve made and I’m definitely paying for it now,” Walker shared in another tweet.
LaFleur also referred to Walker’s first ejection of the season on October 30 against the Buffalo Bills. After tackling running back and fellow former Georgia Bulldog James Cook out of bounds, Walker stood up and shoved a Bills assistant coach, leading to a 15-yard penalty and ejection.
Quay Walker was ejected for this interaction with the Bills sideline…thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/PLsH6vqqg1
— OddsChecker (@OddsCheckerUS) October 31, 2022
Walker was a 2022 first-round draft pick from the University of Georgia who quickly became a starter for the Packers. His most recent ejection, however, comes with much criticism in a week following acts of heroism by athletic staff on the playing field.
Buffalo Bills assistant trainer Denny Kellington performed CPR on safety Damar Hamlin during their game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2. His quick response has been noted by many as potentially saving the player’s life.