During a tense Packers-Seahawks joint practice on Thursday, a series of fights erupted, with Packers’ right tackle Zach Tom being ejected after a confrontation with Seattle players. The incident marked one of the more intense moments in the practice sessions, highlighting the competitive nature of such drills.
Multiple altercations broke out during drills, with the situation escalating to physical confrontations between players. Tom’s ejection came after he threw punches at Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, which led to a significant disruption in the practice session. The tensions were palpable, with both teams experiencing several altercations that underscored the challenges of managing such high-stakes environments.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love commented on the intensity of the situation, noting that when both sidelines are clear, it’s tough to break up fights, and such incidents are inevitable in these practices. He expressed his belief that these moments are a part of the sport, despite being undesirable.
Tom gave his side of the fight, indicating that Jones entered the Packers’ huddle and attempted to go after a Packers player after some words on the previous play. This provoked Tom, leading to his ejection as he felt the situation was disrespectful and a breach of team protocol. He admitted he could have better control, acknowledging the need for self-regulation in such scenarios.
Additional incidents followed as the Seahawks and Packers continued their drills, with another fight erupting during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills. An unnamed Packers player took a swing at Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford, leading to multiple altercations. Despite the chaos, the situation seemed to cool down by the end of the practice, although tensions remained high as both teams continued to jaw back and forth on the field.
Seahawks star lineman Leonard Williams expressed his dissatisfaction with the incident, noting that the Seahawks felt disrespected when the Packers’ players approached their sideline after practice had concluded. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect in such practices and acknowledged the inevitability of such conflicts despite efforts to prevent them.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald acknowledged the challenges of managing such situations, stating that while both teams tried to avoid crossing the line, the incidents that occurred were unavoidable. The practice highlighted the complexities of maintaining order in high-intensity training sessions and the potential for interpersonal conflicts to arise under pressure.