Packers suspend Jaire Alexander one game after coin-toss mixup - ESPN

The Green Bay Packers suspended cornerback Jaire Alexander for one game on Wednesday after he crashed the captains meeting at midfield on Sunday, almost costing his team a possession in the 33-30 win over the Panthers.

«The decision to suspend a player is never easy and not one we take lightly. Unfortunately, Jaire's actions prior to the game in Carolina led us to take this step,» general manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement. «As an organization, we have an expectation that everyone puts the team first. While we are disappointed, we had a good conversation with Jaire this morning and fully expect him to learn from this as we move forward together. We look forward to welcoming him back next week as he is a valued member of this team and will continue to be in the future.»

Alexander, who joined the Packers' three game captains Aaron Jones, Quay Walker and Eric Wilson at midfield, called tails and won the toss.

When referee Alex Kemp asked for his choice, Alexander said the Packers wanted to be on defense, which, technically speaking, is different from choosing to defer. Had Kemp not clarified, it could have cost the Packers a possession, with the Panthers receiving the ball to start both halves.

By rule, the winner of the coin toss can choose to receive, kick off or defer the choice to the second half. Alexander saying the Packers wanted to be on defense could have been interpreted as choosing to kick off.

It's possible the only reason Kemp double-checked and asked Alexander if he meant defer was that coach Matt LaFleur makes it a point in the pregame meeting with officials to inform them of their choice should they win the toss.

LaFleur did not sound pleased with Alexander, who was playing for the first time after