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Every new report about Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles is more bizarre than the one before. The latest incident involving the 43-year-old head coach involves one of his former players, Zach Ertz.
Chief security officer Dom DiSandro (Big Dom) had to step in to break up a fight between the two after Sunday’s game in Maryland.
Ertz, 34, was drafted by the Eagles in 2013. He played eight full seasons in Philly but the organization shipped him off to the Cardinals after six games in 2021. That was Sirianni’s first year as coach.
It was emotional. Ertz didn’t want to leave.
Now two and a half years later, the veteran tight end plays for an NFC East rival. He signed a one-year deal with the Commanders during the offseason.
Ertz got his revenge on Siranni on Sunday when Washington came from behind to beat Philadelphia 36-33. After the victory, he approached his former head coach (for six games) with something of an olive branch. According to the Philadelphia Enquirer, the situation quickly escalated from there.
Ertz went to shake Sirianni’s hand and could tell the coach was agitated, so instead, gave him a high five. Sirianni didn’t like the intensity of Ertz’s hand slap and mocked him because he had only one catch and told him he essentially did nothing to contribute to the Commanders’ win.
— Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer
As you could imagine, Ertz did not appreciate Sirianni’s mockery. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end stood up to the 6-foot-3, 193-pound head coach. Big Dom had to break it up!
Ertz took exception and got in Sirianni’s face, but the coach’s escort, as always, Dom DiSandro, jumped in and held Ertz back and ushered a defeated Sirianni to the tunnel.
— Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer
Even though Sirianni was at fault and once again came out of another strange incident looking extremely immature, he later called Ertz to clear the air. The beef has been squashed. Or has it?
There is no way either guy is going to let this go. They might’ve agreed to move on for now but this is going to linger in the back of their minds. Especially considering the history.
As things currently stand, the Philadelphia Eagles are projected to face the Washington Commanders in the NFL playoffs. Zach Ertz and Nick Sirianni could soon meet again. And should that happen, Big Dom will be at the ready!