NFL fines Cowboys and Saints $500,000 each for multiple fights at joint practice

Key facts

NFL fined Cowboys and Saints $500,000 each for fights at Tuesday joint practice
Double-digit fights occurred during the practice; Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku was ejected for throwing a punch
Notable incidents included Saints WR Brock Rechsteiner slamming Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson and Saints center Erik McCoy throwing a Cowboys helmet
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer and Saints head coach Kellen Moore discussed ending practice early but continued to completion
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he will fine the players responsible for the team’s league fine; the Cowboys also plan to appeal the NFL’s penalty

The fines and what triggered them

The NFL levied $500,000 fines against both the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints on Thursday, August 22, 2024, following a joint practice on Tuesday, August 20, that descended into multiple fights. According to multiple reports, the two teams had double-digit fights during the session, with Cowboys outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku ejected after throwing a punch. Other punches were not immediately sanctioned by officials on the field.

Notable incidents from the practice

Among the most publicized moments was Saints rookie wide receiver Brock Rechsteiner (son of professional wrestler Scott Steiner) picking up and slamming Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson during a scuffle. Saints center Erik McCoy also emerged from one fight holding a Cowboys helmet, which he threw downfield. The confrontations escalated from an initial series of scuffles into full-blown altercations between the two offensive and defensive units.

Coaches’ response in the moment

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer and Saints head coach Kellen Moore (who has prior ties to the Cowboys organization) discussed ending the joint practice early after losing control of the situation. However, both elected to continue through the remainder of the scheduled work, neither expressing satisfaction with how things unfolded.

League emphasis and prior warning

The NFL had issued a memo to all teams on July 14 before training camp, reminding clubs of their responsibility to prevent unsportsmanlike behavior at joint practices. The league specifically stated that instances of player fighting would result in individual fines, club fines, and/or loss of practice time. The Competition Committee had made sportsmanship a point of emphasis this season. A league spokesperson said on Thursday: “All clubs were reminded by memo prior to training camp of their responsibility in preventing unsportsmanlike behavior at joint practices that has the potential to result in injury.”

Team and player responses

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced the team will fine individual players deemed responsible for the half-million-dollar league penalty, attempting to recoup at least a portion of the cost. According to reports, the Cowboys organization also plans to appeal the NFL’s fine. Saints and Cowboys are scheduled to face off in their preseason finales on Friday, August 28.

Sources

Featured photo: Mahanga via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)