The NFL has been clamping down on referees as of late, with two officials previously getting suspended on the same day. This week, the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars started with much controversy as the officials ejected both Bryan Thomas Jr. and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. after a massive fight erupted in London.
NFL insider John Frascella expressed his doubts about the holding call that led to the fight and the ejections. Fans agreed with his sentiments, though it should be noted that it was linebacker Bryan Thomas Jr. who was ejected, not wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
"The refs are killing this sport," one fan said.
"That's a weak ejection, by the way. Just a shove with his legs," another fan noted.
The incident happened as Jacksonville's Josh Cameron returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. However, that touchdown was soon called back for a holding penalty, eventually leading to a fight between both sides and then the ejections. Fans were mainly questioning the holding call on the Jaguars, though Yahoo! Sports reported that many fans did not catch the fight happening.
Meanwhile, the penalties during that play that led to the fight were not just given to Bryan Thomas Jr. and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.; they were the two players who were ejected from the game. Fox Sports' Ralph Vacchiano initially reported that the Jaguars scored during the return but soon reported that the two teams were penalized, thus leading to that touchdown being overturned.
He reported that the Eagles were also penalized for having an illegal formation on their kicking team, while the returning team, the Jaguars, were penalized for holding. As for the fight, there were a total of three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties given, resulting in the two players being ejected.
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