The Chargers and Cowboys didn’t wait for the whistle to be blown to start their skirmish against one another.
Prior to the start of the “Monday Night Football” showdown between the two teams, players from both sides kicked off a brawl against one another that saw helmets ripped off, punches thrown and face masks grabbed.
The Cowboys and Chargers got into it ahead of #MNF 😳 pic.twitter.com/0y7dVEjsWF
— ESPN (@espn) October 16, 2023
The fight appeared to begin when several members of the Chargers blocked the tunnel for the Cowboys to enter the field, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. The incident took place just as Dallas owner Jerry Jones met with former Cowboys coach Jimmie Johnson.
During the incident, Chargers star running back Austin Ekeler has hit in the head, knocking his helmet off in the scuffle.
Austin Ekeler got tagged 👀 pic.twitter.com/BBZCWPbjSp
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 16, 2023
There is not likely to be much bad blood between the two franchises, who are in opposing conferences and have not played against one another since Sept. 19, 2021. The only one likely looking for any type of revenge might be Kellen Moore, who mutually parted ways with the Cowboys as offensive coordinator before joining the Chargers ahead of the 2023 season in the same role.
It was the second pre-game brawl of the week, following a spat between the 49ers and Browns on Sunday.
Browns and 49ers with a pregame brawl!!! pic.twitter.com/WW4FyQkmaw
— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) October 15, 2023