Vikings Notebook: Harrison Smith said ejection put game in perspective

S Harrison Smith was ejected from the Titans game for putting his hands on referee after the ref removed him from a post-play scrum.

By Joe Oberle

Oct 10, 2012 at 4:56 pm ET • 2 min read

Vikings S Harrison Smith's ejection in the Titans' game will not lead to a suspension. (US Presswire)

S Harrison Smith was ejected from the Titans' game for putting his hands on referee during a post-play scrum. Smith simply moved the referee aside and realized his mistake immediately. On Monday he was relieved to learn that he would neither be fined nor suspended for the incident.

“I kind of anticipate the worst in most things, because then you can’t be disappointed,” Smith said. “I am just happy to get back on the field. That is the main focus, it’s just going out there and playing with the Vikings and trying to help the Vikings win.”

Asked what it was like leaving the field and not being there with his teammates, Smith responded:
“It definitely makes you realize how much you love the game and how much you want to take advantage of every opportunity you have to get on the field. It kind of puts it into perspective just how lucky I am to be a part of the Vikings or even play in the NFL. It makes you realize how great it really is.”

Smith previously was fined $21,000 for a hit in the preseason. The rookie has been lauded for how quickly has picked up how the NFL game is supposed to be played, but he's also learning how it is not supposed to be played.

Maryland politicians praise Kluwe: P Chris Kluwe had a dustup recently with a Maryland state delegate Emmett C. Burns over the matter of free speech. Burns wrote the Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti a letter urging him to "inhibit such expressions" by his LB Brendon Ayanbadejo who spoke out on the marriage amendment vote. Kluwe defended Ayanbedejo and free speech and took Burns to task in a strongly worded letter to Deadspin.com, and it made him a media sensation with interviews on the BBC and stories in Rolling Stone magazine.

On Wednesday, Kluwe received an envelope from the Maryland General Assembly, and rather than the rebuttal that he thought it might be, it was an official citation from the Maryland General Assembly in recognition of his “work in standing up for the equality of all.”

Kluwe said he was pleased with the citation and planned on framing it. For now, he tweeted a picture of it for all his followers.

Injury update: RB Adrian Peterson was held out of practice on Wednesday due to “a little soreness in his ankle,” said coach Leslie Frazier.

LB Marvin Mitchell (calf) and S Andrew Sendejo (ankle) returned to practice on Wednesday. LG Charlie Johnson is still having some problems with his lower back and CB Antoine Winfield with his knee. All four were limited at practice on Wednesday.

DT Kevin Williams was held out of practice due to the stomach flu. Frazier hopes he will return on Thursday.

WR Jerome Simpson did not practice due his leg weakness from Sunday’s game. He is going through treatment and Frazier is hopeful he will practice on Thursday.

QB Christian Ponder had full participation in practice despite dealing with the bursa sac on his knee.