Tensions were running high during the 49ers’ 42—19 win over the Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, as San Francisco linebacker Dre Greenlaw and Philadelphia chief security officer Dom DiSandro were ejected after a scuffle in the third quarter that saw Greenlaw put his hand in DiSandro’s face.
Niners players spoke about the incident after the game, saying they didn’t appreciate that the security official was allowed to interact with them. It was a sentiment echoed by San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan, who condemned DiSandro’s action afterward. Shanahan said he “couldn’t believe” a person uninvolved with the game was allowed to “taunt” players from the sideline.
Shanahan said he tried not to lose his temper in the moment, adding he was told that Greenlaw “kind of mashed” DiSandro in the face.
NFL players aren’t allowed to make contact with officials, which explains why Greenlaw was tossed. Per the pool report, DiSandro could not be flagged under NFL rules, given that he is a non-player, but officials determoned that he also made contact with Greenlaw, leading to his own ejection.
This discrepancy in the rules for players and non-players bolsters Shanahan’s point. There are currently no consequences—aside from an ejection—for non-players if they interact with players in this way.
