LANDOVER, Md. — Philadelphia Eagles safety CJ Gardner-Johnson was disqualified in the second half of Sunday’s 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders. Gardner-Johnson received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the third quarter for verbally abusing Commanders players this afternoon after Zach Baun’s forced fumble caused the Commanders’ fourth of five turnovers. was fined.
This was Gardner-Johnson’s second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of the game, which by regulation meant an automatic ejection from the game. Gardner-Johnson received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at the end of the first quarter, the first of two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties he received during the game.
After the Eagles lost to the Commanders, Gardner Johnson continued to have a lot of success throwing the football after he was disqualified, but PFWA pool reporter Nikki Jababara commented on Johnson’s ruling that led to the disqualification by referee Sean・I interviewed Smith.
Question: Can you explain the second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against CJ Gardner-Johnson? What led to the call that ultimately got him ejected?
Smith: He’s basically provoking the opponent with his second foul. He already had the first one early in the game and it was what we announced as the first one towards disqualification. So this became his second. He was mocking the players, so he is disqualified according to the rules.”
After being removed from the game, Gardner-Johnson held up two middle fingers to the crowd as he made his way to the tunnel.
The Eagles safety was clearly unhappy after he was ejected from the game, which may have led to his earlier unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Gardner-Johnson was called for a penalty after receiving a punch from Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown after Jayden Daniels scored on Terry McLaurin (Commander was called for illegal motion on the play) ). The punch sent Gardner-Johnson’s helmet flying off, but he was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Eagles safety Reed Blankenship defended Gardner-Johnson after the game, insinuating that his teammates didn’t say anything to get him ejected.
“I’m not going to go into details. I’m going to support him. He didn’t say anything. I was right there,” Blankenship said. “But something happens when you’re in a hotspot. In the end, I get my guys back.”
Gardner-Johnson had no unsportsmanlike conduct penalty heading into the game. He is currently tied for second in the NFL in points with two points, one behind Eagles teammate Jalen Carter, who leads the league.
Gardner-Johnson’s ejection certainly affected the play of Eagles defensive back Jaden Daniels, who went 16-of-24 for 150 yards and three touchdowns after the disqualification. He recorded one interception (passer rating of 105.9).
Coach Blankenship said, “I have my own thoughts (about being ejected).” “At that point, I didn’t think it was his fault. At the end of the day, it’s not my order. It’s their order.”
