In the NFL, July means training camp. Training camp means bitter position battles and occasional joint practices.
Bitter position battles and occasional joint practices, in turn, often mean fights.
The Jets, under the spotlight as quarterback Aaron Rodgers takes over and HBO’s Hard Knocks films, had multiple fights break out on Saturday. Reporters questioned New York coach Robert Saleh as to his thoughts on the proceedings, and he set up an analogy instantly recognizable to any parent or child.
"It's training camp, these guys are fighting for their livelihood, right?" Saleh said. "They're trying to get on teams, they're trying to compete their tail off to get into a starting lineup, a spot on the roster, to earn a role. So fights are gonna happen."
Freaking hilarious 🤣 #Jets HC Robert Saleh gave his players the same advice he gives to his 7 children when it comes to fights, ‘keep it below the neck & above the waist’ + @Connor_J_Hughes asked about fighting & Saleh said it’s going to happen, these players are ‘fighting for… pic.twitter.com/ceSeQFgDME
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) July 23, 2023
Saleh said managing players' emotions was a bit like managing his large family.
“I tell them—when you fight as a family, you’ve got a rule as a family, I tell my seven kids, ‘Keep it below the neck and above the waist,’” Saleh said.
Family or not, the Jets are set to open their season on Sept. 11 against the Bills.
