NFL punishes 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw for DeVonta Smith body slam that sparked altercation

Dee Greenlaw‘s body slam of Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith turned out to be a costly tackle. On Saturday, six days after the incident, the NFL fined the 49ers linebacker $10,927.

In addition, the NFL also disciplined Dom DiSandro, the Eagles chief security officer, ruling he cannot be on the sidelines Sunday night. The Eagles meet the Dallas Cowboys in a prime-time game at AT&T Stadium.

The NFL Network first reported Greenlaw’s fine. The league usually announces all its discipline on Saturdays.

The NFL fined #49ers LB Dre Greenlaw $10,927 for body-slamming #Eagles WR DeVonta Smith, setting off last week’s sideline fracas.

Greenlaw was ejected along with Philly’s head of security, Dom DiSandro, who is barred from the sideline Sunday while the league’s review continues. pic.twitter.com/2TAIwRREL1

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 9, 2023

Eagles security chief met with NFL commissioner this week

The Eagles addressed the DiSandro situation in a statement to the media. On Friday, the security officer met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and other league officials to discuss the altercation.

“This is an ongoing conversation with the NFL, and we are going to respect the restriction that is currently in place,” the Eagles statement said. “Although Dom will not be on the sideline this Sunday, he will continue to fulfill his role with the team in all other capacities.”

If you didn’t watch last Sunday’s 49ers-Eagles game, the most high-profile contest last weekend, here’s what happened. Greenlaw and teammate Ambry Thomas tackled Smith near the Philly sideline. As Thomas tried to strip the ball away from Smith, Greenlaw grabbed the receiver around the waist and slammed him to the turf. An official threw a flag as Smith popped up to tell Greenlaw what he thought of the tackle. DiSandro stepped in to separate the two and pushed Greenlaw out of the way. The 49ers linebacker reacted to the push by popping DiSandro in the face.

As the Eagles chief security officer, DiSandro is tasked with protecting the field. His duties probably don’t include protecting Eagles players from their opponents.

League told teams only coaches or officials can break up fights

Game officials tossed Greenlaw after the play, which unfolded in the third quarter. They also told DiSandro to leave the field. Technically, the near $11,000 fine for Greenlaw was for unnecessary roughness.

Sometime this past week, Greenlaw and DiSandro exchanged apologies through intermediaries. Greenlaw also discussed the situation with reporters.

“He seemed like a genuine guy, seemed like a guy that everybody loved in the building,” Greenlaw said. “Honestly, I really hate that it escalated and went to that. That’s never something I ever been a part of or seen in the game.”

The NFL also sent a memo to each of the 32 teams to clarify that only coaches or game officials can break up fights between players. Plus, policy also states non-player personnel can not make physical contact with players, nor can there be taunts directed towards them. The NFL also warned that it will fine or suspend non-player personnel for violating these rules.