(Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify the NFLPA’s review of Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon’s sideline reaction.)
Jonathan Gannon’s intense sideline reaction to the most egregious gaffe from Week 5 in the NFL – the Arizona Cardinals coach appeared to strike running back Emari Demercado following a silly fumble – probably isn’t the final word on the case.
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The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is looking into the matter but told USA TODAY on Tuesday that it has not launched a formal investigation. The players union did not have an official statement on the situation on Tuesday. Gannon berated Demercado on the sideline during the fourth quarter of the Cardinals’ 22-21 loss against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at State Farm Stadium.
Meanwhile, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told USA TODAY Sports that the league is aware of the incident but had no further comment.
Television images captured the fiery exchange and show that Gannon may have struck Demercado in the midsection, although that apparent action is not clearly visible on at least one angle circulating on social media, obscured as Cardinals tackle Paris Johnson consoled his teammate.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: The New England Patriots’ Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.
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Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.
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Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.
It’s possible that other video angles will emerge. And it’s undoubtedly already a bad look for Gannon, who could be subject to discipline similar to punishment the NFL levied on former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians, who was fined $50,000 by the league in January 2022 for striking one of his players, safety Andrew Adams, in the head during an NFC wild card playoff victory against the Eagles.
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Gannon told reporters in Arizona on Monday that he apologized to Demercado for his outburst during a team meeting and apologized to the team.
“I didn’t see the video, but yeah, I actually woke up this morning and didn’t feel great about it, honestly,” Gannon said, via Pro Football Talk.com.
Of his apology, the third-year coach added, “And I just told him I kind of let the moment of what happened get the better of me then.”
Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon looks on from the sidelines as his team plays against the Tennessee Titans at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 5, 2025.
Demercado’s fumble – the football went out the end zone for a touchback after he appeared to prematurely celebrate a would-be 72-yard touchdown run by casually flipping the ball to the turf – was one of several gaffes in the fourth quarter that contributed to Arizona (2-3) blowing a 15-point lead in losing a third consecutive game.
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And the mishaps include the reaction from the embattled coach.
Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on social media:
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jonathan Gannon’s sideline meltdown being reviewed by NFLPA