A new video clip has added a surprising twist to the heated altercation between Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne. The incident, which resulted in Payne’s ejection and subsequent one-game suspension, appears to have been preceded by a punch from St. Brown that went unnoticed by officials.
During Sunday’s matchup between the Lions and Commanders, tensions boiled over after a Detroit touchdown. Cameras initially captured Payne throwing a punch at St. Brown—a move that led to his immediate ejection from the game and later earned him a suspension. Payne appealed the punishment, but the NFL ultimately upheld the one-game ban, leaving him sidelined for Washington’s upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins.
However, a recently surfaced video shared by NBC Sports reporter JP Finlay paints a fuller picture of what actually transpired. The footage shows that a few plays before Payne’s retaliatory punch, St. Brown appeared to swing at the Commanders’ defensive tackle first. While officials quickly stepped in to separate the two players, no flag was thrown on the Lions star for the initial blow.
Washington defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw had already hinted at this version of events when speaking to reporters, claiming that St. Brown struck first and that Payne’s actions were in response to being hit earlier. “They saw it and didn’t call anything,” Kinlaw said, expressing frustration that only Payne faced consequences despite the full sequence of events.
The revelation now casts the entire situation in a different light. What had previously looked like an unprovoked act from Payne was actually the climax of a brewing confrontation between two emotional and highly competitive players. While the video may support Payne’s claim, it wasn’t enough to sway league officials, who confirmed his suspension would stand.
For the Commanders, Payne’s absence will be a major blow to their defensive front, while the Lions avoid losing one of their top offensive playmakers. The NFL has not indicated whether any disciplinary action will be reconsidered for St. Brown following the new evidence.
