Geno Smith Flips Off Seahawks Fans in Return to Seattle as Maxx Crosby Joins In

Geno Smith and Maxx Crosby flashed middle fingers at a Seahawks fan who heckled the veteran quarterback upon his return to Seattle.

Geno Smith Flips Off Seahawks Fans in Return to Seattle as Maxx Crosby Joins In

Geno Smith and Maxx Crosby show their middle fingers to a fan (Image via IMAGO/X)

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Geno Smith did not follow the Saquon Barkley route to join a rival club. He ditched the NFC completely after leaving the Seattle Seahawks, but the fans did not forgive him. Upon Smith’s return to Lumen Field on Thursday, the veteran quarterback was heckled by an overzealous fan. The fan held a poster with a message that read, “Bigger bust—Geno Smith or JaMarcus Russell?”

For those who are hearing the Russell’s name for the first time, he was the Raiders’ first overall pick in 2007. He played a total of 25 games and was out of the league by 2009. Smith caught a glimpse of the poster and gave the fan an instant reply.

He flashed the middle finger while making his way into the field. Teammate and star pass rusher Maxx Crosby followed suit as the rest of the Raiders contingent lined up for the game.

Former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who accepted the Raiders gig in the offseason, asked the fan to be a good sport and refrain from agitating the players.

NFL to investigate Geno Smith and Maxx Crosby for profanity

Geno Smith copying Ken Stabler’s legendary gesture might come back to haunt him. The NFL is very strict about protecting the integrity of the sport and usually doesn’t accept any kind of wrongdoing.

Geno Smith Flips Off Seahawks Fans in Return to Seattle as Maxx Crosby Joins In
Geno Smith (Image via IMAGO)

The Athletic’s Tashan Reed reported the incident has been brought to the league’s attention, and they will duly process it.

In photos and videos that have circulated on social media and from the Getty Images wire photo service, a fan appeared to make a gesture and say something toward Smith, who played five seasons in Seattle, as the Raiders waited outside their tunnel to take the field. Smith responded by holding up both of his middle fingers toward the fan before running onto the field. Crosby also made the same gesture while running onto the field.

Reed said Brian Branch of the Detroit Lions received a $10,128 fine for a similar stunt in the past. So, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the league decided to repeat the same punishment. Smith signed a two-year, $75 million contract with the Raiders, and they agreed to a three-year, $106.5 million contract extension with Crosby. They have enough money to pay the fine.

Geno Smith sent a warning to the rest of the NFL not to underestimate the Raiders

The Raiders made massive changes to their coaching staff and roster after winning just four games in 2024. Owner Mark Davis fired head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco and appointed Carroll and former Buccaneers assistant GM John Spytek as the new GM.

Spytek reunited Carroll with Smith and drafted highly sought-after running back Ashton Jeanty. Although football gurus aren’t ready to call the Raiders AFC West contenders, Smith warned everyone not to sleep on them.

We’ve got a really, really good team. I don’t know if we’ll shock anyone inside of this building, but maybe we’ll shock some outsiders. But it’s good; like, let them sleep. I don’t want them to see us coming. We’re just working in the shadows right now, getting our game right, and when it’s time to go in those bright lights, I think we’ll be ready.

The Raiders played out a 23-23 draw against the Seahawks in the first preseason game after kicker Daniel Carlson’s field goal attempt was blocked. Both Smith and Jeanty played a handful of snaps. Aidan O’Connell threw one touchdown and 2 picks, while rookie QB Cam Miller recorded one score.

For the Seahawks, Drew Lock threw one touchdown and a pick. Rookie Jalen Milroe had 6 completions from 10 for 60 yards and 3 carries for 38 yards. The Raiders will host the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium, and the Seahawks welcome the Kansas City Chiefs in Seattle in week 2.

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