The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). The NFL is the highest level of professional American football in the world, and its championship game, the Super Bowl, is the most watched sporting event in the United States.
In addition to the Super Bowl, the NFL is also known for its regular season games, which are often filled with excitement and drama. While most NFL games are decided by a relatively small margin, there have been a number of games that have featured spectacular fights between players. These fights have ranged from brief skirmishes to all-out brawls, and they have often resulted in suspensions and fines for the players involved. However, despite the negative consequences, these fights have also provided some of the most memorable moments in NFL history.
One of the most famous NFL fights occurred in 2005 between the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers. The fight began when Raiders safety Derrick Gibson tackled Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson. Jackson responded by punching Gibson in the face, and the two players quickly began fighting. The fight quickly escalated, and soon several other players from both teams were involved. The fight eventually spilled over into the stands, and several fans were injured. The NFL suspended both Gibson and Jackson for their roles in the fight, and the Raiders were fined $250,000.
The Super Bowl Sunday Brawl
The most infamous NFL fight occurred during Super Bowl XLIII between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals. With just over two minutes remaining in the game and the Steelers leading 27-23, Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald caught a pass and was tackled by Steelers safety Ryan Clark. As Clark was attempting to get up, Cardinals cornerback Antonio Cromartie shoved him, sparking a massive brawl involving players from both teams.
The fight escalated quickly, with punches and kicks being thrown from all angles. Several players were ejected from the game, including Cromartie, Steelers linebacker James Harrison, and Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett. The brawl also resulted in a 15-yard penalty against the Cardinals, which effectively ended their chances of winning the game.
Notable Incidents
The Super Bowl Sunday Brawl was one of the most chaotic and ugliest fights in NFL history. Here are some of the most notable incidents:
| Player | Action |
|---|---|
| Antonio Cromartie | Shoved Ryan Clark, sparking the fight |
| James Harrison | Punched Darnell Dockett |
| Darnell Dockett | Kicked James Harrison |
| Larry Fitzgerald | Was the catalyst for the fight, after being tackled by Ryan Clark |
The Monday Night Mayhem
The Monday Night Mayhem was a notorious incident that occurred during a Monday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins on December 17, 1989. It involved a series of physical altercations that erupted between the two teams, resulting in several players being ejected and an investigation by the NFL.
The game was a highly anticipated matchup between two of the league’s top teams. The Dolphins had a 10-4 record, while the Bills were 12-2 and vying for the AFC East title. The intensity of the rivalry between the teams was evident from the start.
The incident began in the second quarter when Bills defensive end Bruce Smith sacked Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino. A scuffle ensued between Smith and Dolphins offensive lineman Richmond Webb, which quickly escalated into a full-blown brawl. Players from both teams joined the fray, throwing punches and tackling each other to the ground.
The chaos continued for several minutes as coaches and officials tried desperately to restore order. Eight players were eventually ejected from the game:
| Player | Team | Reason for Ejection |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce Smith | Buffalo | Fighting |
| Richmond Webb | Miami | Fighting |
| Jim Kelly | Buffalo | Fighting |
| Don McNeal | Miami | Fighting |
| James Lofton | Buffalo | Fighting |
| Mark Clayton | Miami | Fighting |
| Cornelius Bennett | Buffalo | Fighting |
| Sammie Smith | Miami | Fighting |
The incident had a significant impact on the NFL. The league fined the Bills and Dolphins a total of $250,000 and suspended several players. It also led to a re-evaluation of the rules regarding player conduct on the field.
Top 10 NFL Fights of All Time
The NFL is a physical sport, and sometimes tempers flare. Over the years, there have been some epic fights on the gridiron. Here are 10 of the best:
10. **Johnny Manziel vs. Harrison Smith** (2014)
This fight was a classic case of a quarterback losing his cool. Manziel was sacked by Smith and then got up and threw a punch at the Vikings safety. Smith responded with a punch of his own, and the two players were eventually separated.
9. **Aqib Talib vs. Michael Crabtree** (2015)
This fight was sparked by a shoving match between Talib and Crabtree. Talib then threw a punch at Crabtree, and the two players were quickly separated. However, the fight continued after the game, as Talib threw a chain at Crabtree in the tunnel leading to the locker rooms.
8. **Lawrence Taylor vs. Mark Gastineau** (1986)
This fight was one of the most iconic in NFL history. Taylor and Gastineau were two of the most feared players in the league, and their fight was a physical battle that lasted for several minutes. Taylor eventually knocked out Gastineau, and the Giants went on to win the game.
7. **Ndamukong Suh vs. Evan Mathis** (2011)
This fight was a brutal affair that left Mathis with a broken jaw. Suh was penalized for unnecessary roughness, and the Lions were fined $100,000 for their role in the fight.
6. **Vontaze Burfict vs. Antonio Brown** (2016)
This fight was a nasty one that resulted in Burfict being suspended for three games. Burfict hit Brown in the head with a helmet-to-helmet hit, and Brown was knocked out of the game. The Steelers went on to win the game, but Burfict’s suspension was a major blow to the Bengals.
5. **Richard Sherman vs. Michael Crabtree** (2013)
This fight was one of the most heated in recent memory. Sherman and Crabtree had been trash-talking each other all week, and the fight finally erupted after Crabtree pushed Sherman. Sherman responded with a punch, and the two players were quickly separated. The fight continued after the game, as Sherman and Crabtree exchanged insults on Twitter.
4. **Geno Smith vs. IK Enemkpali** (2015)
This fight was a shocking one, as it resulted in Smith being knocked unconscious. Enemkpali punched Smith in the face, and Smith was taken to the hospital. The Jets went on to lose the game, and Enemkpali was released by the team the following day.
3. **Jared Allen vs. Matt Birk** (2011)
This fight was a bloody one that left Birk with a broken nose. Allen hit Birk in the face with a helmet-to-helmet hit, and Birk was forced to leave the game. The Vikings went on to win the game, but Allen was fined $100,000 for his role in the fight.
2. **Mike Evans vs. Marshon Lattimore** (2017)
This fight was a brutal one that resulted in Evans being suspended for one game. Evans punched Lattimore in the face, and Lattimore responded with a punch of his own. The two players were eventually separated, but the fight continued after the game, as Evans and Lattimore exchanged insults on social media.
1. **Joe Namath vs. Don Maynard** (1965)
This fight is considered to be the greatest NFL fight of all time. Namath and Maynard were two of the most popular players in the league, and their fight was a physical battle that lasted for several minutes. Namath eventually knocked out Maynard, and the Jets went on to win the game.
People Also Ask
Who was involved in the most famous NFL fight?
Joe Namath and Don Maynard were involved in the most famous NFL fight.
What was the most brutal NFL fight?
The most brutal NFL fight was between Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore.
What was the longest NFL fight?
The longest NFL fight was between Lawrence Taylor and Mark Gastineau.
What was the most recent NFL fight?
The most recent NFL fight was between Aqib Talib and Michael Crabtree.
