Javon Wims sucker punched Chauncey Gardner-Johnson for absolutely no reason.
In one of the most mind boggling displays of stupidity, Chicago Bears wide receiver Javon Wims was ejected after punching a Saints player for seemingly no reason.
Before we dive into the fallout from this, you need to see it to believe just how gravely ill-advised and uncalled for the punch was. After a play, and away from the original scuffle that brown out but seemed to be a lot of nothing, Wims ran up on Gardner-Johnson and sucker punched him.
83 on the Bears throwing 2 punches? Bye pic.twitter.com/FZLzFVdWtZ
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) November 1, 2020
Let’s address the bravado and confidence Wims had in running up on Gardner-Johnson. He looked so sure that a return shot was coming after his initial punch that he backed off in anticipation. When that didn’t happen, he went back for a second helping, which is when things eventually broke out.
Why did Javon Wims sucker punch Chauncey Gardner-Johnson?
There was potentially a reason that Wims did this, but we can’t know for sure until he comments on it. Prior to the ambush, Gardner-Johnson tried to poke Anthony Miller in the eye, which is likely the reason Wims felt the need to defend his teammate’s honor.
Here’s the sequence...
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) November 1, 2020
Looks like Ceedy Duce got a face-poke in on Anthony Miller.
Later on, Javon Wims comes over and essentially suckerpunches Ceedy Duce. He’s ejected.
Troy Aikman: “Uh, that’s just not smart football.”
Next play: Marshon Lattimore interception. #Saints pic.twitter.com/4sZd2e9Knc
Defending your teammate is one thing, but there’s nothing admirable about this move. Wims went to Georgia, where just a few weeks ago we saw George Pickens draw an unsportsmanlike penalty for squirting Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano With his water bottle. Two Georgia players making very ill-advised errors in the name of toughness and revenge doesn’t seem like a coincidence.
Wims was ejected from the game and the Saints were awarded a 15-yard penalty. Chicago promptly turned the ball over and set New Orleans up with prime field position in a tie game.
It’s hard to express just how supremely stupid this was. Wims cold clocking Gardner-Johnson out of the blue is bad enough, but it’s once again a reminder that punching someone who is wearing a helmet is among the least intelligent things you can do.
The ejection and penalty will likely not be the last we hear of this incident, as a suspension or a fine may be coming Wims’ way.