Jaguars' Lee claims he was penalized for using racial slur

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee said he was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct - more specially, for using a racial slur - during Sunday's loss to the Oakland Raiders.

The word in question is the N-word, something Lee claimed he used in response to several of his opponents doing the same.

"It was back and forth," Lee said, according to ESPN's Mike DiRocco. "In the midst of the game, emotion is going from both teams. It just so happened the ref heard me, so therefore I got the flag. I've got to fess up to it."

Using racial slurs, sexual slurs, or other abusive language is against NFL rules and subject to fines, but rarely comes up during games - perhaps because most officials turn a blind eye to such language.

Lee suggested the game officials shouldn't have jurisdiction over what players say to each other on the field.

"Throughout the whole game we had a lot of players saying a lot of different things, but that's just the midst of the game," Lee said. "It's kind of hard when you have refs out there trying to limit what people say when you've got grown men hitting each other. You've got a lot of things that's going on that's flaring as far as in your mind. "

Lee went on to say he's positive the Raiders player he used the slur against doesn't mind hearing it.

In addition to Lee's penalty, two Jaguars were ejected from Sunday's game for unsportsmanlike conduct. Malik Jackson used abusive language toward an official and Jalen Ramsey fought with a Raiders player.

Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley took some of the blame for his players' actions Monday.

"That's a reflection of me as a head coach," Bradley said. "It's a reflection of our discipline. It's a reflection of how our culture is and how we talk and how we handle things. That part of it, that hits home with me because obviously it's my responsibility. The demeanor of this team and how we approach things and how we play with poise, I take personal responsibility for that."