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Bills Owner Accepts NFL Fine on Behalf of Lamar Jackson After Fan Incident

04/30 Terry Pegula address media after firing of Bills GM Doug Whaley -  YouTube

Buffalo, NY – September 8, 2025

The fallout from Sunday’s chaotic Bills–Ravens clash took an unexpected turn on Monday, as Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula announced that the organization would cover the $50,000 fine the NFL issued to Lamar Jackson after his altercation with a Bills fan.

The incident erupted in the third quarter when a fan in a red Bills jersey leaned over the railing after a DeAndre Hopkins touchdown, striking Hopkins’ helmet before shoving Jackson moments later. Hopkins brushed it off, but Jackson instinctively shoved back. The video went viral, sparking outrage and leading to swift disciplinary action from the league.

In a statement, Pegula defended Jackson and placed the responsibility squarely on the fan:

“This was the fault of the fan, not the player. Jackson’s response was a natural reflex to being shoved, and he should not bear the punishment for that. If the NFL insists on a fine, then we as the Buffalo Bills will pay it. Our fans are passionate, but passion must always come with respect.”

Pegula also confirmed that the fan has been banned from attending Bills games for the remainder of the 2025 season, including the team’s highly anticipated move into their new stadium.

Across the NFL, players praised Buffalo’s decision, noting that Jackson showed restraint given the provocation. For Pegula, the move is about more than damage control — it’s about protecting the integrity of the game and demonstrating that the Bills will not let one reckless act define their fanbase.

By accepting the fine, Pegula sent a clear message: Buffalo takes accountability, and no player should have his reputation stained because of a fan’s actions.

Packers Rookie Cut Before Season Retires to Join Military Service
The NFL is often described as the pinnacle of athletic dreams, but for one Green Bay rookie, the path to greatness has taken a turn away from the gridiron and toward a higher calling. After signing as an undrafted free agent in May, the young cornerback fought through training camp and preseason battles, hoping to carve out a roster spot on a Packers team recalibrating its depth and identity in the secondary. That player is Tyron Herring, a Delaware (via Dartmouth) standout known as a true outside corner with length, competitive toughness, and special-teams upside. Listed at 6’1”, 201 pounds with verified long speed, Herring built a reputation as a press-capable defender who thrives along the boundary.  Waived in late August, Herring stunned teammates and fans by announcing his retirement from professional football and his decision to enlist in the U.S. military, trading a Packers jersey for a soldier’s uniform. “I lived my NFL dream in Green Bay, but being cut before the season opened another path,” Herring said in a statement. “This isn’t the end — it’s a higher calling. Now, I choose to serve my country with the same heart I gave the Packers.” Prototypical on paper for Green Bay’s boundary profile and steady on tape throughout August, Herring nevertheless faced heavy competition in a crowded cornerback room. The numbers game won out as the Packers finalized their 53 and practice squad. For the Packers, the move closes the chapter on a developmental project with intriguing tools. For Herring, it begins a profound new journey that echoes his “hidden gem” label — a player who consistently rose above expectations and now seeks to do so in service to something bigger than the game. Fans across Wisconsin and the college football community saluted the decision on social media, calling it “the ultimate sacrifice” and “proof that heart is bigger than the game.” Herring leaves the NFL, but his next mission may prove even greater.