The Detroit Lions defeated the Chicago Bears 23-30 on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, in the NFL’s Week 13 matchup. This victory not only crushed any hopes the Bears had of enjoying a festive win but also resulted in a fine for a Bears player. Chicago cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct during the game, adding to the Bears’ woes.
The incident occurred in the fourth quarter when less than 10 minutes remained in the game. Detroit’s Jameson Williams was pushed out of bounds on the Bears’ sideline. Stevenson was near him, and Williams threw the ball at Stevenson in frustration, resulting in a 15-yard penalty. The Lions were forced to settle for a field goal on that drive due to the penalty.
Williams admitted that he was in the wrong for throwing the ball, but Stevenson’s actions after the incident seemed to provoke Williams further. Stevenson reportedly said something to Williams, which led to the ball being thrown. Additionally, Stevenson appeared to trip Williams as he was pushed out of bounds, an action the NFL reviewed.
On December 7, the NFL announced that Stevenson would be fined $19,697 for his unsportsmanlike behavior. The fine was for tripping Williams, a move that the NFL determined to be inappropriate. The league acknowledged that while Williams was responsible for the penalty, Stevenson’s actions also warranted disciplinary action.
NFL analyst Brad Berreman commented that it was surprising that Stevenson received a higher fine than other players, such as Lions safety Brian Branch. He noted that the league’s decision to fine Stevenson was supported by an objective review of the incident. This fine highlighted that Stevenson’s actions, not just Williams’, contributed to the altercation.
Williams, for his part, was not fined for the incident, as the NFL concluded he was not responsible for instigating the situation. Despite his initial frustration, Williams owned up to his actions, accepting responsibility for throwing the ball at Stevenson. His response was deemed a personal foul penalty, and he later apologized for it.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell shared that Williams took accountability for the situation. Campbell noted that Williams had addressed the team directly, apologizing for his actions. Quarterback Jared Goff also expressed support for Williams, praising him for owning up to his mistake and handling the situation maturely. The Lions moved on from the incident without further issue, with Williams showing growth and maturity.
