Cardinals Fine Jonathan Gannon for Sideline Altercation
TEMPE, Ariz. – The Arizona Cardinals have fined their coach, Jonathan Gannon, $100,000 due to the altercation he had on the bench on Sunday with running back Emari Demercado, according to sources. Demercado dropped the ball before crossing the goal line in the fourth quarter of the game against the Tennessee Titans, in what would have been a 72-yard touchdown run. In a video later posted on social media, Gannon is seen approaching Demercado on the bench, while being consoled by left tackle Paris Johnson, and confronting the running back. He continued his reprimand as he walked away from Demercado and apparently made contact with the running back’s right arm. On Monday, Gannon stated that he apologized to Demercado and the Cardinals players during a team meeting that afternoon.Sources indicated that there will be no further sanctions for Gannon. Gannon becomes the first NFL head coach to be fined for an altercation with a player since the league fined then-Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians $50,000 for hitting safety Andrew Adams’ helmet during a wild-card game in January 2022 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Demercado’s error proved costly in Arizona’s eventual 22-21 defeat. Had they scored, the touchdown and extra point would have put Arizona up 28-6 with about 12:40 remaining in the fourth quarter. Teams with a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter have a 1,276-1 record in the last 25 seasons.I just told them that, somehow, I let the moment of what happened get the better of me there.
Jonathan Gannon
