Flowers also had a key fumble not long after the penalty
Now, Zay Flowers is paying a heavy price for his notorious remark during the Baltimore Ravens’ AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The NFL Media reports that the league fined the rookie wide receiver $10,927 for being unsportsmanlike.
The infraction played a part in Baltimore’s late-night collapse, which Flowers led primarily. With less than a minute remaining in the third quarter, Flowers caught what appeared to be a game-changing 54-yard reception from Lamar Jackson, but the Ravens were behind Kansas City, 17-7. This moved the ball to the 10-yard line for the offence, but Flowers was stopped by L’Jarius Sneed and got up, flexing and spinning the ball above the Chiefs cornerback in a classic taunting penalty. Baltimore was swiftly forced out of the red zone by the officials, who also tossed a flag and backed the team up 15 yards.
That set off what ultimately proved to be the fatal blow to Baltimore’s chances of making it to the Super Bowl. Jackson found Flowers with a pass just four plays after the penalty, but Flowers stumbled as he reached for the goal line. The Chiefs retrieved the ball for a touchback in the end zone. Flowers slammed his helmet against the bench and sliced his finger on the sideline in fury at that turn of events.
Flowers had a great rookie season even though this finish proved costly for him (in more ways than one). He grabbed 77 passes for 858 yards and five scores in 16 regular season games.
Travis Jones, Flowers’ colleague, received a $6.700 fine for hitting Patrick Mahomes, which resulted in a roughing the passer call.
