Monday night’s showdown between the Chiefs and Raiders was filled with frustration.
It was largely centered around Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones’ controversial roughing the passer call on Derek Carr that had Chiefs fans relentlessly booing officials and football pundits lambasting referees for throwing the flag.
But after the Raiders 30-29 loss to Kansas City that ended in Davante Adams colliding with his teammate Hunter Refrow on 4th down, ending Las Vegas’ comeback, the newly acquired wide receiver was overcome with rage.
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First, he slammed his helmet to the ground.
— sportsvids99 (@sportsvids991) October 11, 2022
Then, on his way back to the locker room, he pushed a crew member who stepped in front of him to the ground.
Raiders’ WR Davante Adams moments after the Raiders loss to the Chiefs: pic.twitter.com/lEjoOHS7x2
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2022
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“You can’t have that,” ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt said when the clip aired on “SportsCenter.”
Davante Adams apology
After the game, prior to taking questions, Adams apologized and tried to explain things from his vantage point.
Davante’s apology pic.twitter.com/faxtXMa8cQ
— CJ Fogler AKA Perc70 #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) October 11, 2022
“I want to apologize to the guy,” Adams said. “I saw some guy running off the field, he ran and jumped in front of me coming off the field— I bumped into him and kind of pushed him and he ended up on the ground. I want to say sorry to him because that was just frustration mixed with him literally running in front of me. I shouldn’t have responded that way, but that’s how I initially responded, so I want to apologize again for that.”
Adams also took to Twitter to apologize.
Sorry to the guy I pushed over after the game. Obviously very frustrated at the way the game ended and when he ran infront of me as I exited that was my reaction and I felt horrible immediately. Thats not me..MY APOLOGIES man hope you see this.
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) October 11, 2022
The Raiders WR is clearly trying to get out in front of any fines or even suspension that may come of his postgame frustration with his media availability and subsequent tweet.
Since the incident, another closer angle from on the field of the Adams push has come to light.
Davante Adams was visibly upset after the Raiders’ loss to the Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/XW2fmx6adJ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 11, 2022
Will Davante Adams be fined or suspended?
Adams could be reprimanded under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.
Players sign a form acknowledging that they agree to follow the code of conduct and understand the violations and fines. “Infractions and accountability measures, such as fines, are specified to make sure that players maintain control of their emotions and exhibit the utmost sportsmanship,” according to NFL operations.
There is not a ton of precedent related to a player having a physical altercation with a fan or media/crew member. An infamous incident in the NBA from 1997 when Chicago Bulls’ Dennis Rodman took out his frustration on a baseline cameraman is one some have pointed to as a possible comparison.
Rodman was not penalized in the moment for the kick, but it surely cost him after the fact.
The NBA announced an 11-game suspension without pay to Rodman and fined him $25,000. He also agreed to an off-the-court settlement with the cameraman, paying a $200,000 settlement to drop the charges.
In all, Rodman’s kick cost him roughly $1.1 million when all was said and done.
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As for Adams, it’s not the first time he’s had to apologize to a cameraman. With the Packers, in 2021, he flung a touchdown pass into the face of a photographer.
Adams later apologized for the football doink.
Davante Adams just asked for the name of the photographer he accidentally hit in the face with his touchdown ball on Sunday night and then looked into the camera and issued a formal apology. He said he blacked out and was glad to hear the photographer wasn’t injured. pic.twitter.com/yX3i2OnyWr
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 15, 2021
But Monday night’s shove was certainly more serious.
It remains to be seen what sanction Adams will face, but it will certainly be more consequential than flinging a ball into a photog’s face.
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