A highly anticipated Week 13 matchup between Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams and Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson fell flat, with Williams managing just one catch for eight yards on a single target when matched up against Stevenson during the Thanksgiving Day game.
However, the two players had another notable interaction late in the game.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, Williams was pushed out of bounds on the Bears’ sideline, with Stevenson nearby.
Frustration boiled over when Williams threw the ball at Stevenson, hitting him in the face. The act resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which Williams admitted postgame was a poor decision.
The penalty could have proven costly, as it forced the Lions to settle for a field goal on the drive—though the Bears’ own mishaps in the game’s final moments mitigated the impact.
It appeared Stevenson may have provoked the incident, as he allegedly said something to Williams and also tripped him after he was already out of bounds.
This action, viewed as unsportsmanlike and potentially dangerous, drew scrutiny from the league. Adding an ironic twist, Stevenson wasn’t even in the game when the incident occurred.
Ultimately, the NFL handed out fines for Week 13 incidents, with Stevenson receiving a $19,697 fine for tripping Williams. This penalty exceeded fines levied against Lions players like safety Brian Branch for similar offenses earlier in the season.
The league’s decision affirmed that Stevenson’s actions were out of line, while Williams avoided further repercussions, aligning with an objective analysis of the play.
