(Video) No fun league? Allen Lazard’s finger gun celebration results in Jets getting hit with a ‘costly’ 15-yard penalty by the referees
New York Jets players incur thirteen penalties, including the 15-yarder by WR Allen Lazard as they lose to the Denver Broncos.
WR Allen Lazard was penalized 15 yards for a gun celebration (Image via Dov Kleiman/Screengrab X)
The New York Jets knew firsthand on Sunday that just having a superstar quarterback and other star performers cannot win a game. They have to execute everything well enough to base themselves into a position to score points, and then win.
Against the Denver Broncos, it was penalties that stopped them from scoring even a single touchdown. Prime among them was one by Allen Lazard.
The game was marred by bad weather. That weather made it difficult for Aaron Rodgers to make anything worthwhile out of, even if he threw for 225 yards. One of those throws was to Lazard in the third quarter.
On a short pass to the right, the wideout caught the ball to gain a first down for the New York Jets. But as he sat on the field, he gestured as if he was shooting out of a gun with his hands. The referee closest to him instantly threw out a yellow flag.
No FUN League! Allan Lazard called for a penalty here for celebrating #DENvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/WaMVPlwi3l
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) September 29, 2024
After discussing with his colleagues, Allen Lazard was penalized 15 yards for ‘Unsportsmanlike Conduct’. The seventh-year receiver could not believe that the officials penalized him. It seems he did not keep up with the NFL’s policy regarding any gun or weapon-related celebrations. Lazard’s penalty cost his team a crucial first down in a game when they desperately needed to score a touchdown.
The league has become strict in recent times against such celebrations which are deemed to endorse violence. They have already penalized the Falcons Drake London and others this season. With the country facing several instances of gun-related violence, several debates rage on. The NFL is trying to ensure such celebrations do not add to the fury.
Allen Lazard and teammates cost Jets winnable matchup
Allen Lazard’s penalty summed up the New York Jets and their Week 4 performances. The team ended up racking up 13 penalties in total.
In conditions where every yard was crucial, 13 penalties took the life out of the team. Penalties erodes the committing player’s confidence. But at the same time, it also has a negative effect on the team as the hard work of others becomes undone due to one player.
Against the bottom rung Denver Broncos, this much more experienced Jets team should have kept their composure. Instead of helping convert Aaron Rodgers’ accurate passing, they could not muster up a single touchdown. The Broncos’ only touchdown of the game ended up becoming the decider.
The team lost in front of 82,000 of their supporters. Next up, they will head to play the red-hot Minnesota Vikings. Eventually, they might regret not closing the deal at home, as next weekend they could end up returning back with a losing record.
Joseph Varghese
(1665 Articles Published)