It was a dramatic moment in a high-stakes NFL game and after it, things unexpectedly got very tense. Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz found themselves in the midst of a heated postgame confrontation, as the incident occurred after the Commanders’ thrilling 36-33 victory over the Eagles, and it quickly drew attention from players, coaches, and fans alike.
The tension began as players and coaches from both teams gathered on the field to exchange handshakes and postgame pleasantries. Ertz, who had spent over eight seasons with the Eagles before being traded, approached Sirianni for a handshake.
However, instead of a traditional handshake, Ertz opted for a high five, a move that seemed to catch Sirianni off guard. The Eagles head coach, already frustrated by the loss and Ertz’s performance in the game, reportedly made a disparaging remark about Ertz’s impact on the game.
Here’s the video of the heated interaction between Nick Sirianni & Zach Ertz
Ertz goes for the high-five & Sirianni says a few words to him as he passes by him. This prompts Ertz to turn around & confront the Eagles HC.
(🎥:@JohnDoranTV) https://t.co/Bc3XPaXYyw pic.twitter.com/xqfea3HLnF
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) December 26, 2024
The history between the two affected the moment
Zach Ertz, taking offense to Sirianni’s comment, confronted the Eagles head coach, and the exchange quickly escalated. Voices were raised, and the confrontation grew more intense, drawing the attention of those nearby. Just as the situation seemed to be reaching a boiling point, Dom DiSandro, the Eagles’ chief security officer and affectionately known as “Big Dom,” stepped in to defuse the situation.
With his imposing presence, Big Dom managed to separate the two, escorting Sirianni back to the locker room and restoring order. In the aftermath of the incident, reports emerged that Sirianni had reached out to Ertz to apologize for his behavior, acknowledging the need to maintain professionalism and sportsmanship, even in the heat of competition.
Both Sirianni and Ertz expressed their desire to move past the altercation and focus on their respective teams’ futures. As the Eagles and Commanders continue their respective seasons, the focus will shift back to the game itself, with both teams striving to achieve their goals trying to get to the playoffs without any players suspended.
Zach Ertz on the reported kerfuffle postgame with Nick Sirianni. Said it’s “been blown way out of proportion.” pic.twitter.com/FOpmsw4whh
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 26, 2024
