Multiple players ejected from joint practice after brawls break out between Panthers, Patriots
In a joint practice between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers, a fight broke out between the two teams. It was a brawl that ended with multiple players being kicked out of practice.
During the incident, two Patriots wide receivers, Kendrick Bourne and Kristian Wilkerson fought with Kenny Robinson, a defensive back on the Panthers. All three were sent off the field. However, more players became involved in the altercation.
NFL reporter Dov Kleiman posted a video of the fight.
The video shows both Patriots and Panthers’ sidelines clearing, while several players fought and others tried to play peacemaker. Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is also seen pretending to fight the water boy, as the quarterbacks avoided the fight.
Later in the practice, Patriots offensive lineman James Ferentz and Panthers defensive lineman Phil Hoskins were also ejected. Ferentz is the son of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, where he also played his college football.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick had plenty of for Matt Rhule before joint practices started. At the same time, Rhule also praised Belichick, saying, “I just know everything they do is first class.”
“(I have a) ton of respect for Matt Rhule.” the Patriots coach said. “He turned out a lot of good players at Baylor. Had a good connection with him when he was at Temple. He’s a football guy. So we have a lot in common there. We love football.”
“It’s a new look. Individual matchups are good … schemes are different … less predictability of practice,” Bill Belichick also explained about joint practices, clearing up why the Patriots and Panthers would want to work together.
The Patriots and Panthers will play in a preseason game against each other on Friday, August 19. The two teams will continue using joint practices to prepare for the game. Whether or not tempers continue to flare up remains to be seen.