Training camps in the NFL are known for their physical intensity, but things escalated to a new level during the Seattle Seahawks’ practice on Wednesday. What started as a typical day on the field quickly turned chaotic when a helmet was used as a weapon.
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Witnesses reported that Metcalf seized Brown’s helmet and hurled it during the scuffle.
And now a serious scuffle between Brown and Metcalf. Metcalf grabbed Brown’s helmet and threw it at him. Macdonald now calling team together for a quick lecture. Now practice has resumed.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) August 7, 2024
This wasn’t the first altercation of the day; it followed an earlier fight between receiver Jake Bobo and Brown, which resulted in Bobo getting a bloody nose.
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The sparks didn’t stop there. A hard tackle on running back Ken Walker III by linebacker Tyrel Dodson triggered another clash, this time between Dodson and tight end Pharaoh Brown.
The third skirmish involving Metcalf and Brown prompted Coach Mike Macdonald to pause practice to address the ongoing violence. Despite his efforts, more fights broke out, including one that led to ejections for edge rusher Derick Hall and guard Christian Haynes.
Speaking to NFL Network, Macdonald reflected on the intensity: “We’ve been getting after it. I’m proud of how we responded today. The guys are spirited, and we had a great practice.” However, it’s unclear if he was particularly proud of the fights themselves or just the overall spirit of the practice.
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While training camp skirmishes are often viewed as part of the sport, they carry unnecessary risks for the players involved. Thankfully, Metcalf’s helmet swing didn’t lead to serious injuries, but it could have easily taken a different turn.
The Seahawks are gearing up for their first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. Here’s hoping that cooler heads prevail this time around.