Hawk flips bird to Packers teammates, later apologizes

A.J. Hawk, keep your locker uncluttered for the FedEx delivery that's sure to come from the NFL office this week.

In a sequence of events that both reaffirmed Hawk's physical abilities and enhanced his wild-man persona, the Green Bay Packers linebacker sacked St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford during the second quarter of Sunday's game at Lambeau Field, then leapt to his feet and flipped off his own sideline.

It was confusing at the time, but Hawk explained after the game it was a "running joke" with some of his teammates and that it "wasn't meant to get out there, for people to see." But it was seen on television, then all over the Internet.

"It was a joke, and I kind of got caught up in the emotion of the game," Hawk said, according to The Associated Press. "I definitely apologize if any kids or anyone else saw it. I have a daughter myself, so I wouldn't want her doing that.

I got excited, and I got caught up in the game," Hawk said, adding that he hoped to avoid a fine. "It was just, I guess, a bad joke. I definitely won't do it again."

Hawk's finger slip qualified as Sunday's most dramatic subplot for the Packers (6-0), who jumped out to a 24-3 halftime lead over the moribund Rams, then cruised to victory by that same score.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.