Many analysts and NFL fans strongly opposed the idea of Trent Williams staying in the Thursday Night Football contest for the San Francisco 49ers.
It wasn’t because of injury. It was because of a costly action that still resulted in him finishing the rest of the night.
Video Shows Trent Williams Throwing Punch
This was the clip of what sparked the strong reactions for the perennial Pro Bowl left tackle: Williams was seen throwing a punch with his right hand at A’Shawn Robinson.
Trent Williams should be ejected. pic.twitter.com/QKQwELndcU
— Giants Today (@NYGToday) September 22, 2023
Immediately, many reacted that Williams should’ve been tossed out of the game. One came from Giants Super Bowl-winning lineman Shaun O’Hara.
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“So we just ignoring the fact that Trent Williams just punched Robinson?? How do they not show that in replay and discuss it? No ejection? Wow huge miss,” O’Hara shared on X (formerly known as Twitter).
So we just ignoring the fact that Trent Williams just Punched Robinson?? How do they not show that in replay & discuss it? No ejection? Wow huge miss @NFLonPrime #NYGvsSF
— Shaun O'Hara (@ShaunOHara60) September 22, 2023
Giants beat reporter Art Stapleton was one who believed Williams should’ve been ejected.
That was a legit right hook to Robinson's face mask from Trent Williams. He should be ejected. https://t.co/vq6h3nNZg3
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 22, 2023
Doug Rush of FanSided was another who concurred that there should’ve been a removal of Williams.
Seriously. How is Trent Williams not thrown out of the game for punching A’Shawn Robinson?
pic.twitter.com/yPi4XnsOs9— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) September 22, 2023
Meanwhile, this angle shows what sparked the confrontation which involves Robinson appearing to hit Williams’ throat.
No one’s ever been less fazed by a fake crow hop punch than Trent Williams was pic.twitter.com/NcgQGsgd3Z
— feitelberg (@FeitsBarstool) September 22, 2023
Both Players Have ‘Beef’
This isn’t the first time either player has gone against one another.
The two are not only longtime NFL veterans (though Robinson has had fewer years in the league at eight) but are past NFC West rivals.
Robinson has had plenty of encounters with Williams during his time with the Los Angeles Rams. Robinson played in three seasons in L.A. While Robinson’s Rams’ teams lost every regular season matchup versus Williams’ 49ers, his Rams did get the better end of the Niners in the 2021 season NFC title game.
But via NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, the two men have had a history with one another.
“Just got a text that A’Shawn Robinson and Trent Williams have had beef ever since Robinson was in LA. There’s not much love between them,” Schultz shared.