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The NFL has had enough of the pre-game fighting.
In recent weeks, there seems to have been an increase in pre-game scuffles with the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers getting into it before Monday Night Football a week ago and the San Franciso 49ers brushing shoulders with the Cleveland Browns.
Luckily for those teams, their incidents occurred before a new league crackdown that was detailed in a memo sent out to teams, according to Pro Football Talk.
The memo was sent out to “all chief executives, presidents, General Managers, and coaches regarding fighting on game day” and threatened teams with the potential loss of draft picks, fines, and ejections.
Just had a pregame fight between the Cowboys and Chargers pic.twitter.com/GOqRdYOmMH
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 16, 2023
“Sportsmanship and respect are at the core of NFL football, and fighting is irreconcilable with these values,” the memo stated. “Fighting is never acceptable, as it risks unnecessary injury to players, coaches, officials, and other game day personnel.
“These actions send an inappropriate and unacceptable message to players, coaches, and fans at all other levels of the game.”
The Browns and 49ers got into a pregame scuffle. Deebo Samuel, Juan Thornhill, Trent Williams, Elijah Moore and more involved. #Browns pic.twitter.com/9cRn5Y0KUI
— clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) October 15, 2023
It continues, “We will strictly enforce these policies, with both NFL Football Operations staff and Game Officials closely monitoring team activities prior to and during the Official Team Warm-Up Period.”
Teams are required to warm up in their designated areas which are within their own 45-yard lines.
We will have to see if the message was received clearly when teams take the field for their pre-game warm-ups on Sunday ahead of Week 7.
