Stephen A. Smith says Davante Adams deserves a one-game ban for shoving a photographer

Davante Adams has been the centerpiece for media discussion following a classic AFC West encounter between Kansas City and Las Vegas on Monday night in which he shoved a photographer.  

Adams is expected to receive some form of tangible condemnation from the league, who are investigating. Meanwhile, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith believes the Raiders wideout should be banned for one game. 

Adams was caught on camera pushing the man before he stumbled backwards and down to the ground. Security ultimately helped the man to his feet as Adams casually walked into the Arrowhead Stadium tunnel. 

‘One game suspension; expect it. Take it from me, expect it,’ Smith said on Tuesday’s airing of First Take. 

‘I will tell you that’s no indictment against Davante Adams’ character. By all accounts a good brother, very conscientious.

‘We understand he’s the best receiver in football in all likelihood, he’s a special talent, he ain’t that kind of dude, this is not a reason to character assassinate him in any way.’

Smith admitted now wasn’t the time to undertake a ‘character assassination’ of the ex-Packer

Adams has been condemned by the judge and jurors of the Twitterverse alongside numerous media commentators for his act.

Smith believes the NFL now holds a responsibility to use Adams’ actions as a teaching point, as a moment in time to make clear how unacceptable those types of behaviors are.

‘What you have to do however if you’re the league, is to remind everybody; no matter how upset you are, that was an innocent bystander right there,’ Smith continued.

Adams finished the night with three catches for 124yds and two touchdowns in the 30-29 loss

‘It wasn’t even some paparazzi flashing the camera in front of your face after you had just ran into a teammate and ended up losing the game. 

‘It was literally an innocent bystander that you extended your hand and shoved to the ground. You didn’t walk over to help him up, you didn’t say anything until you walked back to the locker room and cooled off or what have you.’

‘If you’re the NFL and that’s caught on camera on national television for Monday Night Football, there’s no way you’re going to let that slide. So, I’m not telling you that he deserves a suspension because he’s some bad dude or anything like that. 

While Adams has received heavy criticism, Smith urged others to maintain perspective regarding the 29-year-old and his disposition.

‘I think he’s a very good guy from everything that I’ve heard and I don’t want anybody to think this is a reason to cast dispersions on his character or whatever,’ he said. ‘We understand why he’s frustrated. 

Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up before the loss vs. the Kansas City Chiefs

‘But if you’re the National Football League, you’re sending a message that no matter how frustrated you are, you can’t do that. And that’s why I think a suspension is coming.’

Adams is facing a police inquiry after the man in question filed a police report with Kansas City Police before arriving at the hospital. 

A department spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com that he had indeed filed a report. The investigation is expected to last only one or two days. 

Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said Tuesday that Adams’ shove ‘feels like more than a fine.’

The ex-Packers wideout apologized in the locker rooms following the Raiders’ disappointing 30-29 loss to Kansas City. 

Adams claimed he ‘felt horrible immediately’ after shoving the unidentified man to the ground

Adams has been frustrated with Vegas’ start to the season after his move from Green Bay

‘He jumped in front of me coming off the field,’ Adams said. ‘I kind of pushed him. He ended up on the ground. I want to apologize to him for that. That was just frustration mixed with him really just running in front of me.

‘I shouldn’t have responded that way, but that’s the way I responded. I want to apologize to him for that.’

Later, he offered an apology on Twitter. 

‘Sorry to the guy I pushed over after the game,’ he tweeted. ‘Obviously very frustrated at the way the game ended and when he ran infront (sic) of me as I exited that was my reaction and I felt horrible immediately. Thats not me..MY APOLOGIES man hope you see this.’