In light of recent on-field skirmishes on game days, the NFL sent a memo to teams this week warning against altercations and fighting before and after games.
Heightened security and codes of conduct have helped to an extent, but not enough to prevent weekly fights from players.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, teams are now required to warm up inside their own 45-yard lines. Players also risk disqualifications if they’re involved in a fight.
“Sportsmanship and respect are at the core of NFL football,” the memo read, in part, “and fighting is irreconcilable with these values.”
In addition, clubs whose players or personnel are involved in a fight are subject to forfeiture of draft picks and/or a significant fine.
Just last week we saw players from the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers engage in a nasty brawl during pregame warmups and then a similar scene played out the following night as the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers were preparing to do battle on the field.
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There was also an altercation between Odell Beckham and Jeffery Simmons during last week’s Ravens-Titans game in London.
Now that players have a threat of being disqualified from a game, it should give them a reason to not engage in a fight. A fine is one thing but missing an entire game could be detrimental to a player for several reasons as they could cost their team a win, they could miss out on contract incentives, or it could very well get them benched or cut.
