Former Dallas Cowboys star calls world ‘soft’ after Cardinals coach’s $100K fine
Arizona Cardinals and former TCU running back Emari Demercado’s fumble Sunday, in which he tossed the ball before crossing the goal line, was a crucial moment in a 22-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
After the fumble, head coach Jonathan Gannon was incensed and got into the face of Demercado, making physical contact and swiping at him. Gannon apologized to Demercado and was fined $100,000 by the Cardinals.
Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant posted on X that he didn’t agree with the fine, saying it’s indicative of how the league has changed.
“I don’t agree with the Cardinals fining Coach Gannon $100k...,” Bryant wrote. “I believe it only happened because of the soft ass world we live in today... If you’re an athlete with any kind of integrity and respect for the game..you’ll understand that situation…This is football..that play clearly cost them the game…I hope this doesn’t cause a weird vibe between the coach Gannon and Demercado.”
Another former Cowboy, Marcus Spears, disagreed with Bryant, saying coaches should keep their hands to themselves.
“Let’s keep our hands off people!” Spears wrote. “If you thought a coach cost you a game and you hemmed him up, they’d crucify you. That Youngin still a man, and he can get cussed out, but don’t put ya hands on me. If he would’ve rocked Gannon ass he would be out the league.”
Bryant went on to defend himself from criticism in two more tweets, saying if it was his fault, he would’ve been OK with Gannon’s actions.
The Cardinals were not OK with Gannon’s actions, but there will be no further discipline from the NFL, according to a league statement.
