Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson doesn’t consider joint training camp fights ‘big deal’ amidst $200,000 NFL fines
NFL training camps are in full swing and as the first weekend of preseason games approaches, tempers are getting frayed. Teams across the National Football League have participated in joint practices. This allows teams to scrimmage against other players and gauge their preparation thus far.
During these joint practices though, tempers have risen this week and fights have broken out. The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams will meet on Thursday for a joint practice in Oxnard, California.
On Wednesday, Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson told reporters that he isn't worried though about the heightened emotions amongst teams:
"I think you know me well enough, where fights aren't too big of a deal. Emotions are high. It's a physical game. You try to stay away from the fights, you try to stay away from the punch and you try to stay away from some dirty stuff.
"But I think nothing's wrong with grabbing a guy by his pads and holding him and just looking at him and saying, 'Hey, going after my QB like that isn't cool' or something like that. But I understand emotions get high. ... So I don't blame any of that stuff."
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and Rams head coach Sean McVay have reportedly told their teams that they won't tolerate any fights during the practice.
NFL fined Giants and Lions $200,000 for fights during practice
The NFL has taken a stand against fights breaking out during training camp practices. The New York Giants and Detroit Lions joint practices this week have gotten quite chippy, to say the least.
Fights have broken out several times this week, one of which included Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.
After punches were thrown and players were tangled up, the NFL fined both the New York Giants and Detroit Lions $200,000. After issuing the fines, the National Football League also released a statement, reminding all teams that 'unprofessional conduct' won't be tolerated by the league.
"All NFL clubs were reminded in a memo sent last month that fighting and unprofessional conduct at joint practices would not be tolerated," said the memo.
While the fights are the product of emotions running high at the moment, there could be lasting effects. Injuries that could prevent players from competing this season are also a risk during the altercations.