Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon has received a fine of $100,000 following a sideline confrontation with running back Emari Demercado during a closely contested game against the Tennessee Titans on March 15, 2024. The incident occurred during the fourth quarter when Demercado appeared to score a touchdown that would have significantly extended the Cardinals’ lead. Instead, he dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line, resulting in a fumble that gave the Titans possession at their own 20-yard line.
Video footage from the game showed Gannon visibly upset, yelling at Demercado and appearing to jostle him in the aftermath of the blunder. The Titans capitalized on the momentum shift, scoring 16 consecutive points to clinch a 22-21 victory, ending their own ten-game losing streak.
Gannon’s fine, reported by ESPN, will not be publicly disclosed by the team. The NFL has been in communication with the NFL Players Association regarding the incident, but no further penalties will be imposed on Gannon.
In a statement reflecting on the altercation, Gannon acknowledged his reaction, saying, “I woke up this morning and didn’t feel great about it, honestly.” He expressed his regret for allowing the situation to affect his demeanor, emphasizing, “I try to be emotionally stable and calm because my job is to solve problems during a game and lead the charge on that.”
The Cardinals, now at 2-3, have experienced a challenging stretch, losing three consecutive games, all decided by last-second field goals—a first in NFL history. Gannon, in his third season with the team, joined the Cardinals after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Reflecting on the loss, Gannon noted, “It’s a mistake by me, and it’s just like everybody in there, everybody made some type of mistake yesterday, which culminates to why we didn’t win the game, and we can’t let it happen moving forward.”
As the team looks to rebound, Gannon’s leadership and ability to maintain composure will be critical in the weeks ahead. The Cardinals will aim to regroup and refocus as they prepare for their next matchup in the ongoing 2025 NFL season.
