Cardinals Coach Gannon Hit with $100K Fine for Sideline Incident with Player According to AP Sources
Arizona Cardinals Coach Jonathan Gannon Fined Following Sideline Incident Against Titans
In a surprising turn of events, Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon has been fined $100,000 due to a heated exchange with running back Emari Demercado. This altercation occurred during the Cardinals’ narrow 22-21 defeat to the Tennessee Titans, as confirmed by two sources with insight into the situation, who requested anonymity since the team has not publicly disclosed the fining. The NFL has communicated with the NFL Players Association regarding the incident, but no further disciplinary action will be taken against Gannon.
Details of the Incident and Gannon’s Response
Following the game, Gannon expressed regret over his behavior, stating that he had apologized to both Demercado and the team. “I woke up this morning and didn’t feel great about it, honestly,” Gannon mentioned in a team meeting. “I let the moment of what happened get the better of me.” The coach acknowledged that maintaining emotional stability is crucial for his role during games.
The Costly Fumble Turned Game-Changer
The incident was triggered by a critical fumble by Demercado, who seemed poised for a significant touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Initially, it looked as though he would extend the Cardinals’ lead to 28-6 with a 72-yard dash. However, he fumbled the ball just before crossing the goal line, leading to a turnover and allowing the Titans to regain possession.
In the aftermath, video footage surfaced on social media, showing Gannon visibly upset and yelling at Demercado before appearing to jostle him. Gannon later clarified, “It’s not really who I am, who I want to be, and I told the guys that today.” He also confirmed that Demercado would not face punishment for the fumble, emphasizing it was an unfortunate mistake.
Titans’ Comeback and Cardinals’ Struggles
The Titans capitalized on the situation by scoring 16 unanswered points, thereby snapping their 10-game losing streak dating back to last season. This marked a historic moment, as it became the first instance in NFL history where a team suffered three consecutive losses, all sealed by last-second field goals, according to Sportradar.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Cardinals?
As the Cardinals sit at a challenging 2-3 record, they face the tough task of turning their season around. Gannon, now in his third year at the helm of Arizona, previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles for two seasons. The team will need to address its recent struggles as they prepare for their upcoming matches.
