(Image source: The Buffalo News)

BY SAM KOROTKIN

You're watching multisource sports news analysis from Newsy.

Don’t ever underestimate the power of karma. Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson found that out the hard way Sunday, as Johnson celebrated a touchdown catch by mocking Jets receiver Plaxico Burress, who shot himself in the leg three years ago. The shooting ended in Burress going to prison. The celebration though, ended with a Bills loss. ESPN’s Cris Carter says the move was a poor decision,

“It’s a lack of focus, immaturity on his part. He’s right on the verge of being a star in this league, and you have to just watch yourself.  I just believe it was distasteful.”

The celebration resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which many believe was the emotional turning point in the game- favoring the Jets. Paul Hamilton of WGR 550 in Buffalo says Johnson’s act really backfired.

“In my opinion and I know I’m likely in a minority here, what Johnson did in the end zone was classless. It hurt his team, made the Jets mad and made him a joke in the National Football League. Players are laughing at him because he didn’t back it up.”

So what about the karma? With less than a minute to play the Bills were driving, and Johnson had an opportunity to catch what could have been the game winning touchdown- but dropped it. Regardless- a writer from Bloguin says the NFL needs more players like Johnson.

“Stevie Johnson is a character in a league that is sorely in need of them. Personalities are needed to sell the game to a wider audience, and Stevie brings just that... he has a swagger to him that many players in the No Fun League are lacking. The game has become so mechanical, with few players bothering to crack a smile on or off the field.”

But The Buffalo News’ Jerry Sullivan counters with this--

“So why this need to behave like a child? Spare me the talk about the "No Fun League," and how it drains all the fun out the game. Using a national stage to ridicule a player who accidentally shot himself and served 20 months in prison to atone for it doesn't strike me as harmless fun.”

Following the game, Johnson apologized, and added that he felt as if he cost the team a win. As for  Burress-- he says he’s seen and heard worse, and it didn’t bother him.