The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were trailing the Detroit Lions by 3-14 in the third quarter when Tezmania took over at Ford Field. At the 8:50 mark in the 3rd quarter, WR Tez Johnson got the ball in his hands, he pushed one linebacker out, made a 360 to evade another and put the ball in the end zone with a spinning touchdown.

However, the emotions got the better of him. “F**k is yall talkin about? I do this sh*t n*****!,” the 7th round pick (235th overall) of the 2025 Draft said. said. The NFL does not like players using such language during games at any point in time. So, if the league’s officials take notice and issue a punishment to the Bucs’ wide receiver, do not be surprised because it will not be the first time for the NFL to do that.

It might have happened as the receiver and his teammates were losing the game. The Lions had a 23-9 lead at the 9:42 mark in the 4th quarter. They lost with a final score reading 24-9, suffering their second loss of the season. But they still sit atop the NFC South division.

In 6 games (three starts), Tez Johnson has 10 receptions for 170 receiving yards and 2 TDs.

In the Week 7 game, the Bucs QB Baker Mayfield had a busy day for Tampa Bay but couldn’t find much success. He completed 28 of 50 passes for 228 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. On the other side, Jared Goff looked calm and efficient for Detroit. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 241 yards, one touchdown, and one pick. But the biggest difference came in the running game.

Tampa Bay ran only 12 times for 41 total yards. RB Rachaad White led them with 38 yards but couldn’t make much impact. Detroit completely dominated this part. RB Jahmyr Gibbs was electric, running 17 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns, including a 78-yard breakaway run. The Lions finished with 164 rushing yards and controlled the pace all game.

In the receiving game, tight end Cade Otton led them with seven catches for 65 yards. Tez Johnson’s 22-yard touchdown was the only scoring highlight for Tampa Bay. For Detroit, Amon-Ra St. Brown once again led the way with six catches, 86 yards, and a touchdown. Gibbs also added three catches for 82 yards, proving to be a dual threat all day.

Yet the rookie’s reaction was the big moment. The league has always taken such situations seriously.

NFL deals with moments like Tez Johnson’s strictly

Back in 2014, 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick also used similar language in a loss against the Chicago Bears. Bears defensive end Lamarr Houston told the Chicago Tribune that Kaepernick used the N-word during Chicago’s Week 2 win over San Francisco. Kaepernick denied saying anything racist.

Just like Tez Johnson, he also failed to control his emotions when the team was losing.

The Niners signal caller admitted he said something to Houston after throwing an interception, but said it was not a racial slur. Replays showed Kaepernick saying something to Houston during the play. At first, Houston said he didn’t hear Kaepernick say the N-word. But later, a report from Fox Sports, citing NFL referees, claimed Kaepernick did say it.

Houston later told the Tribune that Kaepernick used “inappropriate language,” including a curse word and the N-word. Still, Houston said he wasn’t offended, calling it more of a “cultural thing,” as both players are African-American. However, the league did not accept this argument.

Kaepernick was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on that play and fined $11,025 the following week. But the QB said he would appeal. He called his overall performance “terrible,” but said his words on the field were clean.

After San Francisco’s next game, a loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Kaepernick admitted he talks on the field. “Yes, I do,” he said.

The league has been tough on such moments, which does not bring good publicity. We have seen it time and again. When it comes to the rookies, they try to push their agenda of discipline from the first go. Tex Johnson could be the latest player on that list now.