PHILADELPHIA Eagles star defender C.J. Gardner-Johnson could be handed a fine from the NFL for a gesture he displayed after being ejected in Week 16.
The safety Gardner-Johnson was thrown out in the third quarter of Sunday’s 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Jamison Crowder catches the go-ahead touchdown pass toward the end of the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles[/caption]
The officials hit the Eagles star Gardner-Johnson with an unsportsmanlike penalty after speaking to Commanders players following a Zach Baun forced fumble.
It was Gardner-Johnson’s second unsportsmanlike penalty of the game which led to his automatic ejection from the game.
The first unsportsmanlike penalty came in the first quarter.
NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark posted an X clip of Gardner-Johnson being taken out of the contest with security personnel.
The video continued and Gardner-Johnson showed his two middle fingers to the Commanders’ crowd while he was walking to the tunnel.
It’s expected that the veteran will be fined by the NFL for the action.
Fine decisions are released every Saturday, so the likely Gardner-Johnson fine announcement would take place on December 28.
After Sunday’s game, Gardner-Johnson explained his interpretation of the situation through an X post.
“Respectfully got kicked out for nothing, I play with passion and fire!! Guys was chirping all day what u expect !!” he wrote.
The next day, on Monday, Gardner-Johnson seemed to apologize for his actions.
“I was passionate after our QB took an illegal hit!!! So my emotions was everywhere, didn’t want to do anything to hurt the team! But a lil trash talk come on now ….. I’m sorry,” he wrote.
Gardner-Johnson’s first unsportsmanlike penalty came in the first half.
He was called for a penalty after getting punched by Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown after a Jayden Daniels completion to Terry McLaurin.
The punch caused Gardner-Johnson’s helmet to off but he still got hit with the penalty.
Eagles safety Reed Blankenship defended Garder-Johnson after the game.
“I’m not gonna get into detail. I’m gonna have his back He didn’t say anything at all. I was right there,” Blankenship said. “But when you’re on the hot spot, things happen. At the end of the day, I have my dudes back.”
Gardner-Johnson’s disqualification didn’t do Philadelphia any favors as they allowed Daniels to throw three passing touchdowns from then on.
One of the touchdowns included a game-winning throw late in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles’ Week 16 loss likely ends their chance of securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
The Eagles will host the Dallas Cowboys next week.
Commanders players celebrating with wideout Olamide Zaccheaus after his touchdown reception during the fourth quarter[/caption]
