Was suspension of KC Chiefs’ Willie Gay too harsh? Fans baffled by NFL punishment scale

The Chiefs’ defense received a setback Monday afternoon when linebacker Willie Gay Jr. was suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.

In January, Gay was arrested in Overland Park and charged with criminal damage to property totaling less than $1,000.

The Star reported Gay’s ex-partner accused him of yelling at her, calling her names, pushing her onto a couch where their 3-month-old baby slept and throwing a vacuum cleaner across the room, according to a protection order she had filed. Gay’s lawyer disputed those charges.

Some fans thought the NFL’s punishment was too harsh, noting that Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson had received an 11-game suspension after more than two dozen women said Watson harassed or assaulted them during massage appointments, as the New York Times noted.

That came after Watson was initially suspended six games. Earlier on Monday, the NFL announced Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was suspended a game for turning around after walking toward the sideline and striking “an unsuspecting opponent.”

Former Chiefs offensive lineman Jeff Allen weighed in on the NFL’s decision. He wrote in a now-deleted tweet: “4 games seems like a bit much but I guess I don’t know all the facts”

Here is a sample of what fans (of the Chiefs and other teams) were saying on social media.

A Reddit user wrote: “You understand that a misdemeanor is essentially (mostly) a ticket in municipal court, right? Watson is accused of multiple felonies while mike Evans committed assault, which depending on the circumstances can be a felony. There are countless other examples of felony behavior that gets a light suspension. But hey, the Chiefs D was looking just a little too good for the league going into a tough stretch with the bills at the end.”

Another wrote: “It’s one of our star players, he seems a great dude on the field. I’m irritated guys like Watson get fewer games, guys who seemingly did nothing get long suspensions. But this one is pretty spot on for what everyone has been asking for.”

A Reddit user wrote: “I mean, Tom’s (Tom Brady) little tantrum yesterday afternoon ended in the destruction of a $600 surface pro, so I assume he’ll be out for at least 8 games, right?”