Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs for a helmet-to-helmet hit on wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.
Jefferson collided with Thornton after a 21-yard completion down the middle early in the fourth quarter. Thornton remained down on the field after the hit, with several of his teammates igniting a skirmish in response to the hit.
Jefferson was issued an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and disqualified from the remainder of the contest.
After his ejection, Jefferson held up both of his middle fingers before exiting.
Jefferson apologized for the gesture after the Chargers’ 16-13 win but said he had no ill will when making the tackle.
‘I’m classier than that. I was just caught up in the moment,’ Jefferson told reporters. ‘Emotions get high. I won’t sit here and act like I’m a perfect man. I messed up and I did that. I have kids at home and there’s kids out there watching the game too, so I apologize.’
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh came to Jefferson’s defense regarding the hit.
‘I saw a football play,’ Harbaugh said. ‘That’s what I saw.’
Jefferson had five tackles before exiting the game.