Dez Bryant blames ‘soft world’ for Cardinals coach’s fine
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the Arizona Cardinals Coach Jonathan Gannon was reportedly fined $100,000 for a sideline altercation with running back Emari Demercado.
Gannon was upset after Demercado dropped the football before crossing the goal line on what should have been a 72-yard touchdown that would have put Arizona up 28-6 early in the fourth quarter. Instead, the Cardinals lost to Tennessee Titans22-21.
An animated Gannon was later seen getting into Demercado’s face as offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. attempted to tackle Demercado. He consoled his teammate, but it seemed to cost Gannon a six-figure penalty.
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Dez Bryant disagreed with the Arizona Cardinals’ decision to fine Jonathan Gannon for reprimanding Imari Demercado after a costly foul. (Imagine/Getty Images)
Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant was not happy with the fine.
“I disagree with the Cardinals imposing a $100,000 fine on Coach Gannon… I think this only happened because of the soft world we live in today…” Published on X. “If you are an athlete with any kind of integrity and respect for the game… you will understand this situation… this is football… obviously the play cost them the game… I hope this doesn’t create a weird atmosphere between coach Gannon and Demercado..”
Gannon appeared to express remorse over the incident when he spoke to reporters on Monday.
Cardinals running back Imari Demercado reacts on the sideline after fumbling the ball during a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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“I woke up this morning and honestly didn’t feel good about it,” Gannon said. Via ESPN. “I just said [the team]I allowed the moment that happened to improve my condition there. Obviously I’m trying to be emotionally stable and calm because my job is to solve problems during the game and lead the charge on that. So, it’s not who I really am, or who I want to be, and I told the guys that today.
“So, it’s a mistake on my part, and as with everyone out there, everyone made some sort of mistake yesterday, which culminated in us not winning the game, and we can’t let that happen moving forward.”
Head coach Jonathan Gannon of the Cardinals during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at State Farm Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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This is the first time an NFL head coach has been fined for an altercation between players since Bruce Arians, who was coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was disciplined for hitting the helmet of safety Andrew Adams during a wild-card round game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The hackers deducted $50,000 from Aryan for the incident.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson and Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.