Someone decided it was a good idea to have the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals hold a joint practice on Thursday just months after their contentious Super Bowl game. The fact that Rams defensive end Aaron Donald ended up wielding two Bengals helmets as weapons during a scrum between the two teams probably shouldn’t have been very surprising.
Donald, who has a history of dirty play allegations and sketchy decisions, is seen in a video swinging two Bengals helmets as players from the Rams and Bengals got into a brawl. Donald is seen being thrown to the ground as the fight breaks up but you can certainly hear him swinging and connecting with one of the helmets.
Deleted video of Aaron Donald swinging a helmet at bengals players. pic.twitter.com/dHCAGN8Bby
— Not Jake
(@CincyHub) August 25, 2022
A photo of Donald wielding one of the helmets was shared by Cincinnati Inquirer photographer Sam Greene as well.
#Rams Aaron Donald swinging two #Bengals helmets in the mix. pic.twitter.com/y92A0gNskd
— Sam Greene (@SGdoesit) August 25, 2022
There are likely more details to come from the scuffle and any fallout that could come from it but in the meantime, there were some very strong reactions to the video and Donald’s temper, not to mention those wondering why joint practices happen at all.
I hope that the Bills never ever do joint practices. EVER EVER EVER. https://t.co/PboUfaqSXN
— Nate Geary (@NateGearySports) August 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/r0bato/status/1562902074433540096
the crazy thing is the heads were still in the helmets too https://t.co/CvLvrxOerT
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) August 25, 2022
the crazy thing is the heads were still in the helmets too https://t.co/CvLvrxOerT
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) August 25, 2022
It doesn't get much more terrifying than Aaron Donald staring you down while dual-wielding helmets https://t.co/5dQxu5Pl20
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) August 25, 2022
I was so grossed out when Myles Garrett did it and here it is again (just not in a Prime Time game with close-ups). Absolutely needs to get suspended if "Player Safety" is supposed to matter. https://t.co/7vrnKNXcyo
— Jason Moore (@jasonffl) August 25, 2022
50/50 chance there are heads of Bengals players in those helmets https://t.co/ytQqoO17Gd
— Clem (@TheClemReport) August 25, 2022
As many have pointed out, Myles Garrett was indefinitely suspended by the NFL after a similar helmet-swinging incident. That cost him the last six games of the 2019 season before he was reinstated.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.