The Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints have each been fined $500,000 by the NFL following a brawl that occurred during a joint practice session. The league announced the fines, emphasizing that sportsmanship has been a key focus in recent years, particularly during joint practices. All teams were reminded of their obligation to prevent unsportsmanlike conduct that could lead to injuries.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones acknowledged the severity of the penalties but indicated plans to appeal the fine. He remarked that the actions during the brawl, which included players removing helmets and engaging in physical altercations, were not representative of the league's values.
Jones stated, "That's pretty harsh, I mean, pretty stiff... it's certainly not what we want to represent to our fans and as a league or as a team."
If the appeal is unsuccessful, Jones mentioned he would also impose fines on the players involved in the incident. Notable players included linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku, who was involved in a confrontation with Saints offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga, and rookie wide receiver Brock Rechsteiner, who engaged in multiple physical altercations, including a notable move against Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson.
