The NFL has fined the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints $500,000 apiece following a significant brawl and multiple altercations during their joint practice session earlier this week. The league is intensifying efforts to curb fighting during these preparatory sessions, having issued a league-wide memo on the matter prior to the start of training camp.
Despite explicit instructions to prevent unsportsmanlike behavior and minimize injury risks, tensions escalated between the two teams. The incidents included Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku being ejected for throwing a punch, and Saints receiver Brock Rechsteiner suplexing Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson, an event captured on video. Eyewitnesses reported seeing at least six separate fights, with helmets being thrown.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer stated that he and Saints head coach Kellen Moore had considered ending the practice early. He also confirmed the NFL had requested video footage for review, acknowledging the team's failure to manage the situation appropriately. "There's a discipline element to playing this football game, and unfortunately we didn't handle that very well today," Schottenheimer commented.
Saints coach Moore described the practice as not having the "ideal flow" but confirmed his team achieved their necessary work. He acknowledged the "chippiness" but emphasized the importance of professionalism.
The NFL's memo, sent on July 14 to club executives, general managers, and head coaches, was titled "Conduct at Training Camps." It outlined best practices for joint practices and stressed that coaches and players are expected to uphold high standards of professionalism and sportsmanship. The memo specifically warned that "instances of player fighting will result in individual fines, club fines, and/or loss of practice." It further stated that clubs would be held accountable for unsportsmanlike conduct that results in or has the potential to result in injury, with consequences ranging from fines and suspensions to forfeiture of draft picks. Head coaches could also face accountability for violations.
Saints linebacker Pete Werner remarked on the dual nature of the physicality, stating, "You don't want punches thrown or anything like that. But you want your guys protecting each other." He also noted the need for teams to "be smart here. Let's get this moving."
The Cowboys and Saints are scheduled to meet in a preseason game on August 28. Prior to that, Dallas will face the Arizona Cardinals, and New Orleans will play the Los Angeles Rams.