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49ers' Dre Greenlaw, Eagles security head ejected in wild scene

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It’s not every day an NFL team’s head of security is thrown out of a game after an altercation with an opposing team’s player.

That was the exact result of a wild scene that played out along the Eagles sideline during the third quarter of their game against the 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

San Francisco linebacker Dre Greenlaw was called for an unnecessary roughness penalty after an excessive hit on Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith out of bounds.

After the play, Greenlaw started jawing right in Smith’s face and Dom DiSandro — the Eagles’ chief security officer, stepped between the two – putting his hands on 49ers’ defensive star with 9:19 to play in the third quarter with San Francisco up 21-6.

Greenlaw did not seem to appreciate it one bit. 

He swung his hand with a closed fist and hit DiSandro’s face, making contact with his nose and top lip in the process.

Greenlaw was eventually thrown out of the game.

49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) has an altercation with Philadelphia Eagles staff member Dom DiSandro during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

“I tried my hardest not to lose my mind,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I just can’t believe someone not involved in the football game can taunt our players like that and put their hands in our guys’ face. From what I was told, Dre did it back to him. He kind of mashed him in the face a little bit, so he got ejected.”

NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Walt Anderson told a pool reporter Greenlaw was tossed for making contact with a non-player.

“The player involved, No. 57, made contact with the staff member which warranted his disqualification. The non-player, he was contributing to that escalation,” Anderson said.

Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro is escorted off the field on Sunday. Fox

Immediately after, the game officials then made their way to the Eagles sideline to tell DiSandro he also had to leave.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said the team simply wanted to “move on” to the next play.

The longtime Eagles employee, who is in his 25th season with the team, got a standing ovation from the Philadelphia faithful as he walked off the field.

Dre Greenlaw was called for a personal foul after this interaction with Eagles security staffer Dom DiSandro. Both were ejected from the game.

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/bRBFyg9BQz

— ESPN (@espn) December 3, 2023

“Dom is just going to continue to raise the ladder of local heroes here in Philadelphia,” Olsen said.

“There might be a statue of him if the Eagles win this game,” play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt added.

DiSandro and the Eagles, however, could face a significant punishment from the league.

Dre Greenlaw (57) and Dom DiSandro were both ejected from the game. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

DiSandro, who even has a merchandise line in his honor, joined the Eagles in 1999 and oversees all safety and security matters for players, coaches, and executives,” according to his team bio. 

He also directs security at the team’s training complex, is responsible for security measures related to team travel and logistics and provides education on the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

He is a regular protecting Eagles players at public appearances or when they are out at 76ers and Phillies games.

— with AP

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Patria Henriques

Update: 2024-07-31