A massive brawl erupted late in the fourth quarter during a tie game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Sunday’s NFC South matchup.
After an incomplete pass from Tom Brady, Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore got into a shoving match with the quarterback and Bucs running back Leonard Fournette. Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans ran from the sidelines and shoved Lattimore to the ground, which sparked a massive brawl between the two rivals.
Afterward, Evans could be seen explaining his actions to the ref, saying he was merely protecting his legendary teammate.
“That’s Tom Brady! What do you want me to do?” Evans said to the referee.
Senior Vice President of Officiating Walt Anderson explained after the game that both players were ejected for their roles in the altercation.
“League policy advises players that coming to the defense or assistance of your fighting teammates does not excuse you for entering the area. So those actions, as well as the physical actions that both players engaged in. We just felt they were flagrant and rose to the level of disqualification.”
At the time of the brawl, the game was tied 3-3. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sparked by two interceptions from safety Jamel Dean, went on to win 20-10.
About DJ Byrnes