49ers hit with $100,000 fine, Greenlaw faces personal sanction for sideline incident.
The NFL has levied fines against the San Francisco 49ers and their inactive linebacker Dre Greenlaw following a physical sideline altercation in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. The altercation involved Greenlaw shoving Cardinals’ tight end Trey McBride, adding to an already heated game.
Fines Stack Up for Sideline Incident
The altercation occurred during the third quarter, as McBride and 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward were tangled near the 49ers’ bench area. After the play ended, McBride continued to block Ward, pushing him out of bounds. Greenlaw, who was inactive due to an Achilles injury, stepped in and shoved McBride, escalating the situation. Although game officials did not assess any penalties at the time, the NFL later issued a fine of $14,069 to Greenlaw for unsportsmanlike conduct.
In addition to Greenlaw’s personal sanction, the 49ers were fined $100,000 for failing to maintain order on their sideline. The NFL’s rules specifically prohibit inactive players from making unnecessary contact with opponents, holding teams accountable for ensuring appropriate conduct from all players, whether active or not.
Ward and McBride Also Fined
Greenlaw wasn’t the only one penalized for the scuffle. Charvarius Ward received a fine of $11,255 for grabbing McBride’s facemask during the same incident, while McBride himself was fined $9,545 for his role in the altercation. These fines reflect the NFL’s commitment to maintaining discipline and enforcing rules on conduct during games, both on the field and along the sidelines.
Despite the intense moments, no flags were thrown by the officials during the game itself, allowing the altercation to go unnoticed at the time. However, the post-game analysis and review led to the significant financial penalties.
Cardinals Triumph in Tight Contest
The 49ers not only suffered fines but also a narrow defeat in the game itself. The Cardinals, down for much of the match, mounted a comeback and ultimately secured a 24-23 victory at Levi’s Stadium. For Greenlaw, the incident capped off a frustrating day as he remains on the physically unable to perform list while rehabbing his Achilles injury.
This incident has left a lasting impact on the 49ers as they now face scrutiny over sideline discipline and player conduct.