The Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals have engaged in a battle that had nothing to do with their play on the soccer subject. A particular groups penalty could have resulted within the struggle of the yr within the NFL, as three gamers have been ejected in a brawl that led to Dolphins head coach Brian Flores wanting in on the motion. 

Bengals security Shawn Williams and Dolphins broad receivers DeVante Parker and Mack Hollins have been ejected for his or her roles within the brawl, which began after Bengals broad receiver Mike Thomas performed a late hit on Dolphins punt returner Jakeem Grant. A muffed punt by Grant was brought on by a kick catch interference penalty on Thomas — who was not ejected from the sport.  

Grant, who was injured on the play, waived each his arms up within the air looking for the flag as he was mendacity on the bottom. As soon as the play concluded, gamers on each sidelines engaged in some pushing and shoving and punches have been thrown with Flores shouting on the officers as he was making an attempt to enter the brawl. 

Hollins obtained an unlawful blindside penalty that offset Thomas’ penalty. Along with the three disqualifications, William Jackson obtained an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for Cincinnati. The brawl got here after two different gamers (Miami cornerback Xavien Howard and Cincinnati receiver Tyler Boyd) have been ejected for a earlier altercation.

Flores realized he needed to preserve his composure in that second, however he’ll by no means flip down any alternative to stay up for his gamers. There is a cause why the Dolphins go to struggle for him since he is arrived in Miami. 

“We have to do a greater job of protecting our poise. That begins with me. I’ve obtained to do a greater job of protecting my poise. However, look, I’ll stick up for my gamers,” Flores stated after the sport. “They will stick up for one another with out getting penalties, with out hurting the group, however we have to do a greater job of protecting our poise as a group. 

“I am simply going to be sincere, these are like my children. The primary time, yeah. The second time I obtained a bit upset about it, however nonetheless I’ve obtained to do a greater job. I’ve to. I can not do something to harm the group. My feelings obtained the perfect of me there. However once more, you see any person you care about get hit like that twice … However I’ve to do a greater job. I’ve obtained to maintain my poise higher. We now have to do a greater job of that as a group.”

Tua Tagovailoa admired Flores retaliating on behalf of his gamers, which fits a great distance towards the chemistry within the locker room. A number of Dolphins gamers defended their head coach after the sport, together with Shaq Lawson and Christian Wilkins.

“I believe it speaks quite a bit to Flo’s character – how a lot it means to him that, you already know, his participant obtained hit, and it wasn’t the primary time. It was the second time. It simply means quite a bit,” Tagovailoa stated. “He isn’t only a coach on the market. If his man will get harm, he isn’t going to let it go. He stands up for us as a group. 

“You bought to see, not simply him, however different guys moving into there making an attempt to defend Jakeem (Grant) and whatnot. However I believe it is a testomony – though it occurred the way in which it did, it is also a testomony to how shut we’re as a group.”