Packers-Seahawks Joint Practice Turns Heated
During a joint practice session between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, tensions flared, leading to punches being thrown and a player ejected. Such skirmishes are common in these types of practices, but reports indicated that nearly a dozen incidents escalated significantly.
Packers right tackle Zack Tom was ejected after getting into a confrontation with Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV and cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
It was intense enough that Packers quarterback Jordan Love remarked it was one of the more heated practices he’s witnessed since joining the league. “When you clear both bystanders, I think it’s tough,” Love said, suggesting that these altercations can be hard to avoid. “Do your best to split it. But it will happen, man. I don’t know. There’s no answer to that.”
Tom recounted his side of the encounter, explaining that Jones entered the Packers’ huddle and tried to engage with their players. Tom felt this was disrespectful and responded, ultimately leading to his premature exit from practice. “It’s already rude that they’re in our flock,” he said. “And do we have to hit someone while we’re in the flock and have some pride?” When questioned about deserving the ejection, Tom conceded he could “have better control.” He added, “You can only control what you can control.”
Things heated up again when a Packers player threw a punch at Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford during a drill, causing further disputes. As practice continued, both teams were visibly agitated, yet the atmosphere began to settle down.
Seahawks lineman Leonard Williams expressed concerns about the joint practices, saying it’s generally frustrating for players when the opposing team encroaches on their space. “We’ve already broken the herd,” he stated, acknowledging the difficulty of managing emotions during competitive practices.
As the preseason winds down and final roster decisions loom, both teams are aware that competition can easily lead to these types of conflicts. Seahawks head coach Mike McDonald emphasized the importance of protecting teammates, seeking a balance in maintaining intensity without escalating into unnecessary fights.
