After the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers hurled fists at each other in a pregame brawl last Monday, the NFL issued a message to clubs warning of harsh new penalties for fighting.
Cowboys defender Dante Fowler Jr. knocked running back Austin Ekeler’s helmet off his head with an open-handed smack. There was also a brawl between the Cleveland Browns and the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday, as well as bad blood between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens following a low hit, as part of an upsurge in hostilities this year.
“Fighting is never acceptable, as it risks unnecessary injury to players, coaches, officials, and other game day personnel,” the memo reportedly says. “These actions send an inappropriate and unacceptable message to players, coaches, and fans at all other levels of the game.”
“The game day policies [for staying apart during warmups] are clear on this point,” the memo added. “They were reviewed with the membership at the Fall meeting and there should be no ambiguity or misunderstanding.”
There have been no suspensions declared as a result of the occurrences. Odell Beckham Jr. of the Ravens was fined $33,317, and Jeffery Simmons of the Titans was fined $11,473 for their participation in an in-game brawl in London.
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According to ESPN, the league has now informed organisations that, in addition to penalties, it can withhold draught selections for extreme fighting occurrences.
“Fighting is never acceptable, as it risks unnecessary injury to players, coaches, officials, and other game day personnel,” the document is said to add. “These actions send an inappropriate and unacceptable message to players, coaches, and fans at all other levels of the game.”
“The game day policies [for staying apart during warmups] are clear on this point,” the note went on to say. “At the Fall meeting, they were reviewed with the membership, and there should be no ambiguity or misunderstanding.”
Austin Ekeler got tagged 👀 pic.twitter.com/BBZCWPbjSp
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 16, 2023
Teams must not encroach on their opponents’ 45-yard lines during pregame warm-ups, which several players have recently disobeyed, resulting in confrontation. The NFL will watch stadium video footage to ensure that teams remain in their pregame zones.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has always highlighted the NFL’s image, enforcing a lengthy rulebook in order to present a spotless front. In 2023, detailed dress code restrictions have already landed players in hot water.
A.J. Brown, a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, was threatened with expulsion from a game because he wore bright green cleats at the request of his daughter. Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins was fined twice for not wearing socks under his cleats.
