NFL fans have hit out at the “pathetic” $10,600 USD ($15,000) fine issued to Green Bay’s Allen Lazard for counting the three players he knocked down in a hilarious domino-like block.
The star receiver has told local media he intends to appeal the fine, labelling the penalty “kind of silly”.
“It’s not like it was an aggressive hit or anything that injured another player. It was perfectly legal. So I don’t see what − I’m getting fined for taunting, which I think is kind of silly,” he told Milwaukee media.
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With play-offs on the line for Green Bay against Miami in their Christmas Day blockbuster, Lazard ensured teammate Aaron Jones could scamper down the sideline late in the 26-20 win that kept their post-season hopes alive.
Leading by just three with a little over three minutes to go in the contest, Lazard provided a brilliant bump on Miami’s Eric Rowe who ended up flattening two Dolphins teammates in a moment widely shared across the sport’s socials.
But days later, it’s been confirmed the NFL has slapped Lazard with a fine for taunting after standing back and counting the three opponents he helped knock down.
Remarkably, Lazard’s fine is just $500 less than what New England QB Mac Jones copped for taking out the knees of Bengals opponent Eli Apple in a move widely slammed across the league.
The move to penalise Lazard has drawn criticism, with the fine labelled “contradictory” given the big play was highlighted on the league’s social account.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had nothing but praise for Lazard’s actions, laughing as he too counted the men left lying on the turf.
“I turn around, next thing I see a bunch of guys on the ground and Allen over there counting one, two, three (laughs). I was counting with him, I couldn’t believe it,” Rodgers told the Pat McAfee Show.
“That’s what Allen does, he’s a great player for us.
“I love Allen. You can win with smart players who embrace their role and do it to the best of their abilities. We all have egos … but Allen has a great balance of doing his job, keeping his ego in check and being a great teammate.
“He does all the dirty work. He does it without bitching or blinking an eye or making any stink.”
Green Bay offensive co-ordinator Adam Stenavich was also happy with what he saw from his receiver against the Dolphins.
“(Lazard) opens up your play book,” he praised in his post-game press conference.
“Obviously he can do a great job with the passing game with a bunch of different routes. But he allows you to attack certain defenses where normally you would need a tight end to do the blocking.
“He’s definitely a really good piece of our offense.
“A guy like Allen will do whatever it takes to win. Not always doing the glamorous jobs, but doing whatever it takes to get the job done. That’s what’s special about him.”
