Green Bay Packers rookie Quay Walker was ejected for the second time this season on Sunday night, and apologized for his actions on Monday morning.
Quay Walkerās second ejection was poorly-timed, as well, as he shoved a member of the Detroit Lions training staff who was hoping to help what at the time was an injured DāAndre Swift.
Swift took an elbow to the head from one of Walkerās Packers teammates, which went uncalled. Walkerās actions were initially called for a personal foul. Eventually, he was ejected after the officiating crew realized what had occurred.
In the aftermath of Damar Hamlinās heart attack, which was suffered on the field during Monday Night Football, every teamās training staff is as important as ever. A reminder was needed. For Walker to shove a Lions assistant who was merely trying to help one of their players was an awful look, and one he apologized for on Monday morning.
Packers: Quay Walker apologizes for pushing training staff
Quay Walker lost his cool in the heat of the moment, as the Lions were driving down the field at the time. As a rookie, itās somewhat understandable, but Walker needs to be a professional in those moments. This isnāt the first time he was ejected this season, and he clearly didnāt learn from that experience.
Walker also shoved a staffer who tried to help him up on the Buffalo sidelines in October. These sorts of things cannot happen, especially considering the staffers are not wearing pads. They donāt have the benefit of pushing back. Itās far too dangerous.
Matt LaFleur called Walker out postgame, calling his actions āunacceptableā.
āThat is unacceptable,ā LaFleur said. āIāve got a much higher standard for our players than to do silly things like that. Weāve got a guy ejected twice. I donāt think Iāve ever seen that in my career. Weāve got to be much more mentally tough. Any time our guys commit personal fouls I take that very personally because I think thatās always a reflection of myself and the standards we set for these players. And weāve got to be better and weāve got to learn from that because that is unacceptable.ā
As a rookie, Walker will have an opportunity to grow from this. But at this point, itās a pattern, and a dangerous one.