“An EMBARRASSMENT”: Watch Packers rookie Quay Walker get criticized for taking a swing at a practice squad tight end
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Quay Walker expressed remorse for his actions in the post-game press conference.
The Green Bay Packers organization has become synonymous with the word drama. In the Sunday night matchup against the Buffalo Bills, the team lost 27-17 but more than their performance, it was the behavior of rookie linebacker Quay Walker that was the highlight. The rookie was ejected for shoving someone on the Bills’ sideline.
The person Walker shoved was initially suspected to be a coach. However, after reviewing the footage, the person who was shoved by the linebacker was identified as Zach Davidson by Bills’ reporter, Maddy Glab. Zach is a tight end on the Buffalo Bills practice squad. Quay’s ejection dealt a blow to the already struggling Packers’ defense.
Drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Green Bay, Walker has been having a great year so far. He had 13 tackles and one pass defended in the game against the Washington Commanders. He has shown immense potential and promise, both of which Green Bay so desperately needs.
Moments before halftime, Quay Walker defended against Bills’ RB James Cook after a 7-yard run. While they were on Buffalo’s sidelines, an argument started and got quickly heated. The running back was right behind Quay and as he was making his way back onto the field, the linebacker shoved the inactive tight end, who was attempting to reach his hand out to Walker who was still down and attempting to get back on his feet.
Quay Walker was awarded an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty before being ejected:
It still remains a mystery why Walker decided to respond in such a hostile manner when all Zach was doing was helping him get back up. It was a sign of sportsmanship and was just lending his hand out. The NFL has never been kind to players getting violent toward coaches and other players on the opposing sidelines and, as a result, the referees took immediate action.
In addition to the penalty and the ejection, the Bills got a 15-yard penalty that helped them score a touchdown subsequently. Quay Walker has been balling out this season and before he was sent into the locker room, he had 5 tackles in total, leading the Packers. With 57 tackles to date this season, he has proven that he is consistent.
Quay Walker apologized for his actions following the game in a press conference. Here is what he had to say, “I was making a tackle on the sideline… as I was getting up, I felt like somebody pushed me from behind and I probably misinterpreted on what it was, I just felt a push and I’m on their sideline, feelings just flowing and I’m very hyped. As soon as I did that, I regretted that. It is something I’m going to have to live with and face(the consequences). I apologize to the guy that I did push although I felt like I was pushed but that may not have been the case. I’m sorry for what I did and I got to face it. It is what it is.”
We have to appreciate that he issued an apology for this. However, Twitterati had mixed reactions to Quay Walker shoving the person on the sidelines:
It may not be that simple. In the heat of the moment, he may feel like he was pushed by someone as he stated, and when that happens in between a game, players tend to defend themselves.
It is what it is. He did not deny any wrongdoing and took full accountability.
Let’s be real for a moment. The Packers were not going to win that game anyway. Quay just hurt the team’s chances of winning by 0.5%.
He probably could have dealt with it in a better way.
The question is, did he grab him or attempt to help him get up?
Going a bit too far with that buddy.
Respond to trash talk with more trash talk. Not violence.
It was not this bad.
Have to respect his accountability, he really does regret the way things played out.
What are your thoughts on Walker’s ejection? Was he really provoked or did he misinterpret the gesture by Zach Davidson?
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Sumedh Joshi
(2239 Articles Published)