Quay Walker was having one of the best games of his budding career in Week 18. The Green Bay Packers needed all of it.
The rookie inside linebacker had helped patch a leaky run defense, helping to hold an explosive Detroit Lions offense to only 13 points through three quarters of a game the Packers needed to win in order to qualify for the NFL Playoffs. Then, with one immensely stupid decision, his night was over.
Walker, at the tail end of a play in which Detroit tailback D’Andre Swift was injured and needed assistance, took umbrage to a Lions’ trainer’s attempt to move him out of the way in order to get to the downed back. And that’s when Walker decided to shove a medical staffer who was only trying to do his job.
Quay Walker is the only player in the NFL to be ejected twice this season and yep he earned it pic.twitter.com/LfjORzoVYO
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) January 9, 2023
The play wasn’t just immensely stupid, it also gifted the Lions a free first-and-goal situation at the Green Bay five-yard line. Two plays later, former Packer Jamaal Williams crashed into the end zone for a touchdown that gave the Lions a 20-16 lead and threatened to crush the home team’s playoff hopes.
In the harsh light of Monday morning, Walker reflected on his ejection and took responsibility for a massive mistake in the most important game of the season.
I want to apologize publicly about what happened Sunday night. I reacted off of my emotions again and take full responsibility of making another stupid decision. Since then I’ve questioned myself on why did I do what I did when the trainer was doing his job!! I was wrong!!
— Quay (@QuayWalker_) January 9, 2023
As expected, fans took to Twitter to absolutely pillory the linebacker responsible for one of the dumbest plays of the year.