Eagles’ employee ‘Big Dom’ exchanges apology with 49ers star Dre Greenlaw after NFL’s warning

The Philadelphia Eagles prolonged winning streak came to an end in the hands of the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13. Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy outshined the Philly quarterback Jalen Hurts to secure a whopping 42-19 win over their mighty opponent.

Besides the intense on-field clash, the match hit the headlines due to an infamous sideline brawl between the 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw and Eagles security chief officer Dom DiSandro. Though both the player and the staff were engaged in the ignoble act, they didn’t halt back from clearing the air between themselves ahead of any potential action from the NFL.

Dre Greenlaw and Dom DiSandro clear the air post-ejection in Eagles game

During the Week 13 clash between the 49ers and the Eagles, Dre Greenlaw’s forceful tackle on DeVonta Smith, the Eagles’ wide receiver, near the Philly sideline sparked a chaotic altercation. The Eagles’ coaching staff and players quickly swarmed around the scene, and amidst the frenzy, Dom DiSandro intervened, pulling Greenlaw away from Smith.

However, the situation took a volatile turn when the 49ers LB reacted by reaching over officials to touch Dom’s face with a closed fist, leading to the ejection of both Greenlaw and the Eagles’ security chief from the game.

The 49ers coach, Kyle Shannahan, while acknowledging the incident, felt it didn’t warrant the level of attention it received. Following the game, intermediaries, including 49ers general manager John Lynch, facilitated reconciliation between the player and Eagles staff. Both parties expressed regret and offered apologies through these channels.

While speaking about the incident, Greenlaw conveyed his lack of animosity towards DiSandro and acknowledged his positive presence within the organization. He also shed light on his discomfort with the situation’s escalation while citing it as an unfamiliar occurrence in his football career.

“He seemed like a genuine guy, seemed like a guy that everybody loved in the building. Honestly, I really hate that it escalated and went to that. That’s never something I ever been a part of or seen in the game.”

Despite the ejections and apologies, neither Shannahan nor Greenlaw anticipated further disciplinary action from the league.

NFL issues memo to teams after altercation in Eagles vs 49ers clash

Following the altercation during Week 13 between Greenlaw and Dom, the NFL swiftly responded by signaling its intent to enforce “significant punishment” on those involved. Speculations ran high that the Eagles’ security chief could face significant repercussions, with rumors hinting at possible penalties for the Philly team itself.

Though no update about the disciplinary action has been taken as of now, the NFL issued a stern memo to all clubs on Wednesday, titled “Conduct of Club Personnel on Game Day,” as reported by CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones.

The memo explicitly reiterated the league’s stance, saying non-player personnel are strictly prohibited from engaging in physical altercations, taunting, or using abusive language towards players, officials, or any involved party during a game.

“The Playing Rules of the National Football League, and our Game Operations Policies, clearly prohibit non-player personnel — coaches, trainers, equipment staff, security officers, or others — from making physical contact with, taunting, or directing abusive or insulting language toward opposing players, game officials, or others involved in a game”, the statement said.

The memo emphasized that club personnel should refrain from intervening in any altercation and leave the handling of such situations to coaches and game officials.

“If an altercation occurs, club personnel are to allow the coaches and game officials to manage the situation, with the officials assessing appropriate penalties, with assistance from the League Office as needed. Under no circumstances are club personnel to engage with or make physical contact with another club’s player(s) or other personnel.”

The league also reinforced its commitment to enforcing these rules and outlined potential penalties, including fines, suspensions without pay, and ejection from the game, which could be imposed on both individuals and franchises found in violation.