NFL Sends Clear Warning About Pre-Game Incidents

Prior to last week’s meeting between the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns, multiple players from both teams got into fights and had to be separated by coaches and game officials.

This was just the latest example from the last few weeks of NFL teams getting into scuffles before facing each other on the actual football field.

Typically, these pre-game fights are more common at the college level, but they seem to be happening more frequently in the NFL this season.

FIGHT!
49ers Browns pregame pic.twitter.com/WR2x75CD16

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 15, 2023

The league has, obviously, taken notice, and unsurprisingly, they are unhappy with things going way beyond a typical pre-game handshake between teams before a number of matchups this year.

On Sunday, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport revealed that the league recently sent a memo to every team in the NFL as a reminder about sportsmanship and to inform each organization that ejections and possibly suspensions could be enforced as a result of teams deciding to fight before a game.

Last week, there were several instances of pre-game fights. The NFL has now sent a memo to teams saying sportsmanship and respect are at the core of NFL football, and fighting is “irreconcilable” with these values.
Three key points:
— Teams must warm up within their own 45-yard…

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2023

Football is already one of the most violent sports in the world, so there’s no reason to add to the danger that these players put themselves through each week.

A player getting pumped up before a game and wanting to find ways to intimidate his opponent is fine, as long as it isn’t something that involves an action that could potentially cause an unnecessary injury.

If these pre-game fights continue to happen, don’t be surprised if the NFL ultimately decides to actually hand out suspensions to any players involved as a way to set an example and make it clear to the rest of the league that none of this will be tolerated.

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