Justin Tucker proves that kickers can fight too
Kickers are football players too.
This is an idea Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has championed for years. In a joint practice with the Washington Commanders, Tucker backed this talk up with action as scuffle broke out in front of him.
As Washington's Emmanuel Forbes Jr. wrapped up Baltimore's Tylan Wallace, who took exception to Forbes Jr.'s post-whistle swat at the football, appearing to throw a punch that incited a chaotic skirmish.
Tucker can be seen walking cool as ever towards the fray while putting on his helmet and joining the battle of "real" players.
This brawl is just one of many that has broken out this NFL preseason.
Per USA Today, 10th-year Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans said that their joint practices with the New York Jets had more fights than he's ever seen.
So what's the reason for all the hostility? Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin told USA Today, "It's just guys competing."
And it makes sense.
The offseason can be a slog, with players either training on their own or in small groups until returning to training camp, where they face their own teammates over and over. It's difficult to generate game-like intensity in these repetitive circumstances.
So once players finally get to hit somebody new in joint practices, that pent up competitive energy overflows and extracurriculars occur.
While tempers flaring is understandable, coaches know how important it is for cooler heads to prevail so players don't miss time for injury or disciplinary measures. Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich said he hates the post-whistle festivities.
"The fighting thing ... I just cannot stand," he told USA Today's Jarrett Bell. "It's just useless. I mean, I get it. It's a very emotional game."
As the preseason continues and players get more reps against different teams and competition for roster sports heat up, the fights could drop off.
But don't count on it.
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