NFL Star Punches Opponent in Face for ‘Donald Trump Gesture’

An NFL player punched an opponent in the face as tensions boiled over during a game between the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders.

The Lions recorded their sixth victory of the season in Washington, defeating the Commanders 44-22.

It was revenge for Detroit, who lost to the Commanders in the NFL divisional round back in January.

While the Lions offense impressed, it was a tense exchange on the field that drew the attention of fans.

The match was attended by President Donald Trump, making him the first sitting president in nearly half a century to attend a regular-season NFL game.

Knowing the president would be at the game, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated a touchdown by doing Trump's signature dance in front of his box - although the president was not there at the time.

Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne did not take kindly to the dance, and punched St. Brown in the helmet.

Payne was immediately ejected for the first time in his eighth season in the NFL.

What punishment could Daron Payne face?

The NFL disciplinary team will now review the footage to determine Payne's sanction.

As it is his first ejection, Payne is expected to receive a fine, with pundits speculating it could fall between $10,000 and $15,000.

Crucially for the Commanders, he is unlikely to face a one-game suspension.

The most recent comparable case involved Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker.

He was ejected for throwing a punch against the Las Vegas Raiders and was then fined $12,172 for unnecessary roughness.

Donald Trump's involvement

The president was late to Sunday's match, arriving during the third quarter.

Upon his entrance, Trump received a mixed response, including boos from many fans.

This follows a report from ESPN that the White House had been exploring the possibility of renaming the Commanders' stadium after the president.

The Commanders are set to build a new $3.7 billion stadium on the site of the old RFK Stadium, where the team played between 1961 and 1996.

While many NFL teams sell naming rights to their stadiums, Trump reportedly does not want to pay for the rights, according to ESPN.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told ESPN: "That would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible."

Another source told the American sports media platform: "It's what the president wants, and it will probably happen."