The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in one of the wilder games we’ll see this NFL season. The Cardinals overcame a 20-point halftime deficit, converted a two-point conversion on a play that took nearly 21 seconds and almost threw the game-winning touchdown away shy of the goal line.
But amid that remarkable win, there appeared to be an ugly scene postgame at Allegiant Stadium.
As Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was celebrating Byron Murphy’s overtime touchdown, he ran over to a group of Cardinals fans seated in the front row at the field-level club. And at around the 28-second mark in the video below, we could see a fan strike Murray in the face with an open hand and follow through.
WALKOFF!! @12SportsAZ pic.twitter.com/eQ75VJtk30
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) September 18, 2022
Here’s a slowed-down look at the incident:
@Raiders @NFL this is absolutely disgusting. Dude in the grey shirt needs to be banned from stadiums for life. Hits Kyler murray in the face on purpose and then tries to hide as you can see in this video….DISGUSTING. BAN HIM FOR LIFE. EVERYONE Retweet this out so it gets seen‼️ pic.twitter.com/FhI8xQoNwS
— K1SinceDay1 (@KSzn2021) September 19, 2022
Murray’s celebratory mood understandably turned sour at that point as he turned back to confront the fan who made contact with his face. Some words were exchanged before Murray removed himself from the situation.
The fan in question appeared to be the man in the gray shirt — he wasn’t wearing Cardinals or Raiders gear. In a statement to For The Win, the Raiders said:
“The Raiders are aware of the incident and are cooperating with the Las Vegas Metro Police Department on its investigation.”
Fans did want to see action taken against this person as there’s never an excuse to hit a player.
This was how Twitter reacted
Kyler looked like he was going to throw hands with someone. https://t.co/eVQ068YUAO
— British (1-1)Gañg (@BritishBirdgang) September 19, 2022
This is the video Murray gets hit by a raider fan…. Disgusting @NFL https://t.co/mJhkaBjrhN
— Zachary🥵 (@ItzzReact) September 19, 2022
Raiders fan celebrates stunning loss the only way their fans know how: by slapping Kyler Murray in the face after the game https://t.co/aTsOkiizdp
— Holly Coleman (@HollyCo26588808) September 19, 2022
This is wrong on EVERY LEVEL ! @nfl @Raiders @AZCardinals #NFL @AllegiantStadm #punkmove https://t.co/maVkfxMb53
— Silver&BlackEmpire (@SlvrBlkEmpireNY) September 19, 2022
Yup..he needs yo banned for life https://t.co/QquZboMkUV
— Peter (P_Dubzz88) 🇬🇭 (@p_rock88) September 19, 2022
Absolutely disgusting from our fanbase. I hope he gets all the deserving punishment he deserves. Do better. https://t.co/ctrYrximc5
— Shañe (@ShanyeWest15) September 19, 2022
This is not a fan. This is wayyyyyy outta pocket. Craven, too. And do not try to blame the victim. https://t.co/wD8ckDiGkW
— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) September 19, 2022
Yeah, @Raiders and @AllegiantStadm have to handle this. That guy lost his viewing privileges. https://t.co/ydCuIRgO0K
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) September 19, 2022
Raiders fans be better ! https://t.co/umWwLVBFsu
— The AZ sports fan! (@TheAZsportsfan1) September 19, 2022
There’s just no place for that.