NEW YORK — The NFL has fined the Giants and Lions each $200,000 for multiple fights that broke out at joint practices between the teams this week.
“All NFL clubs were reminded in a memo sent last month that fighting and unprofessional conduct at joint practices would not be tolerated,” the league said in a statement Wednesday.
On Monday, there were at least four scrums after plays where the players rushed to the altercation from all sides of the field and peace was eventually restored.
Two of those fights involved Lions All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, one with safety Dane Belton and the other with rookie cornerback Dru Phillips.
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones rushed into one tussle with his center Greg Van Roten down on the field and a Lions player on top of him. That came one play after Jones hit his hand on the equipment of a Lions defender while making a throw.
Lions defensive back Emmanuel Moseley is out indefinitely after being injured in one of the fights.
On Tuesday, Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers got into a fist-swinging altercation with Lions safety Kerby Joseph.
The teams will play Thursday night in their preseason opener.
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The NFL has handed down fines to both the New York Giants and the Detroit Lions after a series of fights broke out during their joint practices last week. The Giants and Lions were each fined $200,000 for their role in the altercations, which occurred during two separate practices leading up to their preseason game.
The fights reportedly started when players from both teams began trash-talking and shoving each other during drills. The situation quickly escalated, with punches being thrown and players having to be separated by coaches and staff. The intensity of the altercations was so severe that both teams were forced to cut their practices short.
In a statement released by the NFL, they condemned the behavior of both teams and emphasized that fighting has no place in the game of football. The league also warned that any future incidents of this nature would result in even harsher penalties.
The fines levied against the Giants and Lions serve as a reminder to all teams that the NFL takes player conduct very seriously. In addition to the financial penalties, the teams involved will also be closely monitored by the league to ensure that they are taking steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Both the Giants and Lions have issued apologies for their actions and have pledged to work together to prevent any further confrontations during joint practices. It is clear that the NFL is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all players, and will not hesitate to take action against those who violate these standards.
As the regular season approaches, it is crucial for teams to focus on their preparation and teamwork, rather than engaging in unnecessary conflicts. The fines imposed on the Giants and Lions should serve as a wake-up call for all teams to prioritize sportsmanship and professionalism both on and off the field.
