Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie safety Shilo Sanders was ejected from Saturday's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills after throwing a punch at Bills tight end Zach Davidson. The incident occurred in the second quarter following a 1-yard completion. Davidson, who was filling in as the Bills' punter due to an illness, and Sanders became entangled in the defensive backfield.
The scuffle began after Davidson's blocking attempt on Sanders. While Davidson initially made minimal contact, he continued to shove and lunge at Sanders, eventually grabbing the rookie's head. In response, Sanders rose from a crouched position and struck Davidson in the facemask. A referee immediately threw a flag, resulting in Sanders' ejection.
Interestingly, Davidson was not penalized for his role in the altercation. He even taunted Sanders with a "too small" gesture after the incident, highlighting the size difference between the two players: Sanders is listed at 6-feet, 196 pounds, while Davidson stands at 6-foot-7 and weighs 251 pounds.
Davidson, in his third season with the Bills, took on punting duties due to Brad Robbins' illness. He boasts a background as a first-team All-MIAA punter and tight end at Division II's Central Missouri. His first punt of the game went for an impressive 62 yards.
Shilo Sanders is the younger brother of Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. He brings a wealth of college experience, having played six years, including stints at South Carolina, Jackson State, and Colorado, following his father.
Social Media Reaction
The incident quickly went viral on social media. A video of the punch circulated widely, sparking debate among fans and analysts. Many questioned the ejection, arguing that Davidson's actions warranted a penalty as well. Others condemned Sanders' punch as unsportsmanlike conduct.
The ejection is a setback for Sanders, who is fighting for a roster spot with the Buccaneers. It remains to be seen how the team will respond to the incident and whether it will impact Sanders' chances of making the final roster.