Cardinals Fine Jonathan Gannon for Altercation with Emari Demercado
TEMPE, Ariz. – The Arizona Cardinals have fined coach Jonathan Gannon $100,000 for his altercation with running back Emari Demercado during Sunday’s game.
Demercado dropped the ball before crossing the scoring line in the fourth period of the game against the Tennessee Titans. The play would have been a 72-yard touchdown run.
In a video posted on social media, Gannon is seen approaching Demercado on the sidelines while being consoled by left tackle Paris Johnson, confronting the running back. The coach continued his discussion as he walked away from Demercado, apparently making contact with the player’s right arm.
On Monday, Gannon stated that he apologized to Demercado and the team during a meeting. “I let the moment get the better of me,” he stated.
According to sources, 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 sanctioned then-Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians with $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 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.
