Getty Vikings safety Harrison Smith has been subject of scrutiny surrounding a chokehold he held on Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Minnesota Vikings safety has become a target of the Dallas Cowboys fan base after a video of Smith covering CeeDee Lamb went viral following the Vikings’ 20-16 loss at home.
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‘This Man was Chocking the **** Out of Me’
Smith tackles Lamb out of bounds and as the two players roll to the sidelines, Smith’s arms drape over Lamb’s shoulder and it appears his arms get under the helmet of Lamb.
In a video the Cowboys released, Lamb exclaims “This man was chocking the (expletive) out of me while I’m on the sideline.” No flag was thrown on the play, and despite Cowboys fans calling for the NFL to review the play, no statement has been released by the league.
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Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb said during game Sunday in reference to Vikings S Harrison Smith: “This man was choking the (expletive) out of me while I’m on the sideline.” Video of play and comment via @dallascowboys. No flag from official.
Here’s another angle:
How is this not flagged? @nfl you have some explaining to do
Fan Reactions
Cowboys fans have felt a vendetta toward officials and the NFL.
Lamb has been fined five times this season for a total of $46,865 on several seemingly minor occurrences, per ABC News. He was fined twice for totals of $5,150 and $15,450 for having his jersey untucked, having his socks failing to cover his lower leg for $5,150; and $10,300 for waving at a New England Patriots defender on his walk-off touchdown.
He did receive a $10,815 fine for a crackback block earlier this season, but the 22-year-old receiver has been subject to largely petty fines, leaving Cowboys fans frustrated when he became subject to a questionable call.
One fan sounded the sirens to make sure the clip goes viral, calling Smith’s actions “bush league.”
Two officials were near the play, whether Smith was making an attempt on the ball and got wrapped up under Lamb’s helmet.
Vikings Territory contributor Ali Siddiqui leveled with Cowboys fans and admitted the play was foul.
Smith is my favorite player, but that wasn’t right
Already out of bounds. No need to do that
— Ali Siddiqui (@asiddiqui15) November 3, 2021
One fan found Smith to be technically sound from an MMA perspective…
Nate Diaz said it looked like good technique to him. 🤷🏼♂️
— ✭ Ryan Shady ✭ (@RyanShady) November 3, 2021
Better submission this weekend?
Harrison Smith vs Lamb or
Glover vs Jan pic.twitter.com/fhm9TbMhyF— ClubFFL_DugE (@OklahomieDoug) November 2, 2021
Fans have been calling for Smith to receive a fine or suspension.
@nflcommish @NFLOfficiating @NFL
With everyone seeing the same thing. A Fine $ better be in the mail for S Harrison Smith. Should’ve been 15 yards. Even w/ the terrible officiating, the Cowboys still overcame it & won.— Omar N. (@omz007) November 3, 2021
Smith had an otherwise sterling reputation in the NFL as one of the league’s best safeties. And while one play shouldn’t sully his image, this fan was unforgiving.
Lost all respect for Harrison Smith on one fell swoop, thought he was a respectful player lmao NOT! 😆
— ✭TheSaitamaCowboy!✭ (@DallasCowboyDuo) November 4, 2021
Perspective is everything and while Smith may not be reprimanded, his actions may have been out of line in the heat of the moment.
No bullshit, they should suspend Smith for that. That was so weird to see and I’d be fuming if that was happening to Theilen or Jefferson. I love Harry, but he was on one for that
— ₘᵢₛₜₑᵣ ₚₑₐcₕ (3-4)(4=-4-2) (@SatisfiedLyric0) November 3, 2021