When you hold a joint practice in NFL training camp, you’re almost expecting to see fireworks spark between the two teams. After all, you’re having players who don’t know each other competing for jobs in hot, humid conditions. Tempers flare.
Now, take that environment and make it a Super Bowl rematch. That fostered the scene that unfolded during Thursday’s practice with the Rams and Bengals in Cincinnati. And it led to an ugly brawl with Rams star Aaron Donald right at the center of it all.
According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, Bengals offensive lineman La’el Collins took exception to being grabbed after a play. When Collins threw punches, both teams joined the melee. That was when Donald came into the fold, swinging a pair of Bengals helmets.
There was video of Donald’s part in the brawl, and you can clearly see him swinging helmets with one in each hand.
Deleted video of Aaron Donald swinging a helmet at bengals players. pic.twitter.com/dHCAGN8Bby
— Not Jake 🥷🏻 (@CincyHub) August 25, 2022
You don’t see the league office get involved with practice fights (the league delegates that responsibility to teams), but using a helmet as a weapon was a line that Donald obviously crossed there. It absolutely warrants an exception to that policy.
#Rams Aaron Donald swinging two #Bengals helmets in the mix. pic.twitter.com/y92A0gNskd
— Sam Greene (@SGdoesit) August 25, 2022
NFL fans also had thoughts on the brawl and many called for Donald to be suspended. Saturday’s preseason game between the two teams should be interesting, to say the least.
This was how Twitter reacted
Myles Garrett's helmet swing came in a nationally televised game. Aaron Donald's came in a joint practice. That's the only difference. The NFL has never gotten involved in legislating joint practices, but they need to before someone gets seriously injured. https://t.co/SoXjwTXJNf
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) August 25, 2022
And let’s check in on another joint practice. Lol https://t.co/Op5UiKIF1t
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) August 25, 2022
NFL better take a hard look at this… https://t.co/E59oQ8wabH
— Fans of Cincy (@fansofcincy) August 25, 2022
Myles Garrett got suspended six games for this. The NFL has typically said it's up to teams to enforce discipline for infractions on the practice field, so Aaron Donald will probably get away with doing the same thing that cost Garrett a third of a season. https://t.co/fTtm3uU6oe
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) August 25, 2022
Indefinite suspension has to he coming for Aaron Donald, right? https://t.co/OU35YZlw6r
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) August 25, 2022
something about the afc north and helmet swinging
(yes i know the rams aren't in the afc north, but the bengals are so the joke works) https://t.co/ZNZOzStPqc
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 25, 2022
This needs to be a 4 game suspension. At least.
And before Rams fans think I’m scared, nah. Bring it week one. But nothing about this is cool from the best player in football. https://t.co/EjfFUSqSsd
— Jefe (@JSpenceTheKing) August 25, 2022
I love Aaron Donald but this is grounds for a suspension https://t.co/j3dzTbRdRp
— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) August 25, 2022
"nothing to see here" – NFL marketing Aaron Donald for the opening game. https://t.co/5eU7uhW7pF
— Greg Vorse TV (@GregVorse) August 25, 2022
That kind of thing simply cannot happen.
