Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson incurred significant financial penalties following multiple unsportsmanlike conduct infractions during last week's game against the Washington Commanders. The fines, totaling over $45,000 for the single game, stem from two separate incidents that led to his ejection.
Gardner-Johnson received two $22,511 fines for unsportsmanlike behavior, culminating in his early exit in the third quarter. His absence was notably felt as the Eagles eventually fell to the Commanders 36-33.
These latest penalties mark a continuation of disciplinary issues for Gardner-Johnson. He had already accumulated three unsportsmanlike conduct fines earlier this season, contributing to a total of five such penalties for the 2024 season.
His total fines for the season now exceed $100,000, with $90,043 attributed to unsportsmanlike conduct and an additional $11,255 for unnecessary roughness. This puts his total at $101,298 in fines this season, underlining a growing concern about his on-field behavior.
While the specific words that triggered these penalties remain unclear, the impact of Gardner-Johnson's ejection was undeniable. The Eagles' defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, stressed the need for improvement, stating that the team does not want to be known for such penalties.
Echoing this sentiment, head coach Nick Sirianni emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline while encouraging players to express their passion within the rules of the game. Sirianni acknowledged the value of the team's fiery approach, but stressed that it should not come at the expense of costly penalties.
Despite these incidents, the Eagles organization continues to address the situation internally, seeking to balance the player’s intensity with the need for discipline. No further explanations for the ejection have been received from the league as of Monday.
