The 2022-23 National Football League (NFL) regular season is five games in, and the standings are taking shape. The Las Vegas Raiders, a team much-fancied to ruffle a few feathers with those online betting in California, have hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Not only are the Las Vegas Raiders nursing a poor 1-4 record, but they also face losing Davante Adams for an extended period after he shoved a photographer to the ground following the Raiders’ 29-30 defeat against Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders fans were delighted to see their team acquire Adams’ services. The former Fresno State wide receiver spent seven years with the Green Bay Packers after they drafted him 53rd overall in 2014. Adams was selected for Pro Bowl duty for five consecutive years between 2017-2021 and was the NFL’s receiving touchdowns leader in 2020. The Packers traded Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders on March 18, 2022, in exchange for the Raiders’ 2022 first-round pick and a second-round pick. Adams signed a $141.25 million five-year deal, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.
Adams has 414 receiving yards and five touchdowns from 29 receptions through the opening five games of the current regular season. He has hardly set the league on fire, but that is primarily because the Las Vegas Raiders are struggling for form, are currently 1-4, and are rock bottom of the AFC West.
Raiders’ Dreadful Form Continues; Adams Visibly Frustrated
The Raiders went into the half-time interval 20-10 to the good against the Kansas City Chiefs, but 14 unanswered points in the third quarter put the Chiefs 24-20 ahead. A field goal early in the fourth quarter put the Raiders within a point of the Chiefs, but a Travis Kelce touchdown put seven points between them. Adams scored a 48-yard touchdown, but the two-point conversion failed, and a visibly upset Adams left the field.
As Adams headed off the field, freelancer Ryan Zebley, carrying heavy camera equipment, got in Adams’ way. What happened next was unbelievable: Adams violently shoved Zebley, knocking him onto his back across the floor. The 6ft 1in, 215-pound superstar casually walked down the Arrowhead Stadium tunnel as security staff helped Zebley back to his feet.
Victim Presses Charges
Zebley claims he suffered headaches, a possible minor concussion, and whiplash injuries as a result of Adams’ violent shove. The 20-year-old has since filed assault charges with the Kansas City Police Department, who have opened an investigation, calling it “an intentional, overt act.”
The victim hired Dan Curry, a personal injury attorney, to represent him. Curry said, “What happened was egregiously unsportsmanlike and an act of violence that should not be excused by the NFL.” Curry added that his client “was nauseous immediately after the incident, and he has some pain that he’s still dealing with today.”
Adams apologized to Zebley via his popular Twitter account, although many fans feel his apology was not ideal. Adams tweeted, “Sorry to the guy I pushed over after the game. Obviously very frustrated at the way the game ended and when he ran infront of me as I exited that was my reaction and I felt horrible immediately. Thats not me..MY APOLOGIES man hope you see this.”
The NFL stated it is investigating Adams’ actions and will act in due course. Adams should expect a fine at the very least, although a suspension is also a likely consequence of his shove. The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said, “this one feels like more than a fine.”
Adams could also find himself in hot water with prosecutors if they decide strict action is required. A Class C misdemeanor assault carries a 15-day jail sentence and a $700 fine. However, a Class A assault misdemeanor carries a jail sentence of up to a year in addition to a $700 fine.
