It was one of the oddest moments you'll see in sports and one that angered many fans of the San Francisco 49ers. It happened last Sunday in Philadelphia when Eagles' Head of Security Dom DiSandro initiated contact with 49ers star linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Greenlaw then made contact with DiSandro's nose before the two were separated.
The chaos began when Greenlaw tackled Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith and threw him to the ground. Greenlaw was called for unnecessary roughness, and the Eagles sideline did not respond favorably. When pushing and shoving began, DiSandro inserted himself by pushing Greenlaw backward,
Adam Schefter reported that DiSandro "is being barred from being on Philadelphia's sideline for Sunday night's game vs. the Cowboys for his part in last Sunday's sideline fracas with 49ers' LB Dre Greenlaw. DiSandro is allowed to go to Dallas with the Eagles, and do all his regular duties - just not be on the team's sideline during the game. DiSandro and other Eagles' officials met Friday morning at the league office in New York with commissioner Roger Goodell. The league still is reviewing additional material to see if further discipline is warranted."
Eagles' Head of Security Dom DiSandro is being barred from being on Philadelphia's sideline for Sunday night's game vs. the Cowboys for his part in last Sunday's sideline fracas with 49ers' LB Dre Greenlaw. DiSandro is allowed to go to Dallas with the Eagles, and do all his… pic.twitter.com/F1pxquAaJ6
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 9, 2023
Schefter also reported that Greenlaw "is expected to be fined today for the hit that led to last Sunday's sideline fracas." While it's been expected that Greenlaw will be fined for the play against Smith, he should not receive any other fines or punishment for touching DiSandro.
49ers fans were frustrated by Greenlaw's ejection on Sunday because the incident was brought on by DiSandro, who also was removed from the sideline during the game. But as fans argue, the ejections weren't fair—a star defensive player for a security guy. Simply put, any person who's not a player, should be initiating contact with someone who is not on the field. This is especially true of some like DiSandro, who is neither a player nor a coach.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said this week that Eagles coach Nick Sirianni apologized for DiSandro's actions. Shanahan also said that he's only heard good things about Eagles' Head of Security. Meanwhile, Greenlaw said that he and DiSandro have moved past the incident and added, "I felt like I shouldn't have been ejected, but I can't go back and say anything about it now," Greenlaw shared. "So they did their job...Honestly. I really hate that it even escalated and went to that. That's never something I have ever been a part of or seen in the game."
It remains to be seen if DiSandro will receive additional punishment for his role in the incident.
- Marc Adams
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Written by:Speaker. Writer. Covering the San Francisco 49ers. Host of the 49ers Camelot show.
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