49ers’ Dre Greenlaw, Eagles security head ejected after scuffle،
PHILADELPHIA — For the second time in as many games against the Philadelphia Eagles, the San Francisco 49ers lost a key player to an ejection.
In the NFC Championship Game, it was left tackle Trent Williams. Sunday, it was linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
With 9:27 left in the third quarter of San Francisco's 42-19 victory, Greenlaw tackled Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith near the Philadelphia sideline after a 13-yard run. Greenlaw lifted Smith off his feet and slammed him to the ground, which triggered a penalty flag.
As Greenlaw and Smith stood up, Eagles staff and players rushed over and began yelling along with Greenlaw and some of his teammates.
Dom DiSandro, the Eagles' head of security, walked toward Greenlaw, who extended his arm and yelled at DiSandro. Greenlaw's hand appeared to make contact with DiSandro's face as he pointed at him, resulting in the disqualification.
Before Greenlaw was ejected, officials had a lengthy discussion with Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, who made his case for an expulsion. Once the decision was made, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan was visibly angry with the decision, coming out onto the field and yelling at the officials.
Soon after, Greenlaw sprinted toward the locker room to a chorus of boos from Eagles fans. DiSandro was also removed from the game but received a warm ovation from Philadelphia fans upon his exit.
“I tried my best not to lose my mind,” Shanahan said. I just can't believe that someone who isn't involved in football would taunt our players like that and put their hands in front of our guys' faces. From what I've been told , Dre returned the favor. He kind of smashed him in the face a little bit, so he got kicked out.
Sirianni said the team just wanted to “move on” to the next play.
NFL senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson clarified to a pool reporter after the game that Greenlaw was ejected for making contact with DiSandro. Anderson said DiSandro was removed from the bench for “contributing to this escalation” by making contact with Greenlaw. Anderson noted that Rule 19 does not give New York's replay review office “the ability to assist officials in throwing a flag that they do not throw for a non-player,” although New York “may help identify the non-player who would be disqualified. »
Greenlaw led San Francisco with seven tackles at the time of his ejection. He has a history of calling out unnecessary roughness penalties, having had two more this season and five in his career.
DiSandro joined the Eagles in 1999 and also serves as a senior advisor to general manager Howie Roseman. DiSandro, 45, oversees all safety and security matters for players, coaches and management. He also directs security at the team's practice complex, is responsible for security measures related to team travel and logistics, and provides training on the NFL's personal conduct policy.
DiSandro stayed and greeted the Eagles players as they trudged into the locker room after their loss.
Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.
