New York Giants wide receiver Allen Lazard was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty Sunday afternoon for letting out a double-weapon celebration after picking up a first down.
Lazard caught a 12-yard pass on the right side of the field late in the third quarter of their 10–9 loss to the Denver Broncos to convert a first down. The play itself wasn’t extraordinary by any means, but Lazard sat up and made a double gun gesture with his hands in celebration after being called out. He pretended to shoot into the air a few times before standing up and returning to the group.
The official next to him immediately noticed and threw the flag.
That sent the Jets back 15 yards. Their drive finally stalled a few plays later and they had to settle for a 40-yard field goal. That put them ahead 9-7 early in the fourth quarter.
While Lazard’s gesture was minimal, the penalty reflects the way the NFL has handled similar celebrations this season. The Atlanta Falcons wide receiver is being criticized for making what the league called a “violent gesture” in their win over the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this month. London, after catching a seven-yard touchdown pass in that game, acted like he was shooting a gun in the air on the field.
after the game. The Falcons also had the football team host a mass shooting just days before that game.
Lazard will likely be hit with a similar fine in the coming days.
Lazard finished with 58 yards on five catches at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The former Iowa State star now has 206 yards and three touchdowns on 16 catches this season.
The Jets had three chances to win the game late in the fourth quarter. However, Rodgers committed one fumble while trying to score a first down to give the ball back to the Broncos. Then, after forcing a quick punt to get it back, the Broncos pinned Rodgers for a quick stop. But after a missed field goal, Rodgers and the Jets got the ball back with just under 90 seconds left on the clock. But the Jets missed a field goal of their own from 50 yards out, sealing the one-point victory for the Broncos.
Rodgers went 24 of 42 for 225 yards in the loss to the Jets, who fell to 2-2 on the year. Braelon Allen led them on the ground with just 34 yards on eight carries. Mike Williams had 67 yards on four catches.
Bo Nix hit 12 of 25 for just 60 yards for the Broncos. He threw a touchdown to Courtland Sutton in the third quarter, the only touchdown of the game. Sutton had 60 yards on three catches. Javonte Williams led the Broncos on the ground with 77 yards on 16 carries.
