Posted at 10:07 a.m., Sunday, December 23, 2007
NFL: Raiders' Sapp ejected after 3 conduct penalties
Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp was ejected from today's game against the Jaguars after receiving three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.Sapp received all three of the penalties in a strange series of events that started when Jacksonville right tackle Tony Pashos was flagged for illegal use of hands to the face.
Officials said the Raiders declined the penalty, and the Jaguars lined up for a 43-yard field goal attempt with 21 seconds to play in the first half. Officials then said Oakland would accept the penalty, making it third-and-20 from the Raiders 35-yard line.
Jacksonville's offense went back on the field, but a few seconds later, the officials called the first unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Sapp. That gave the Jaguars an automatic first down, and Sapp started jawing at officials.
Sapp and defensive end Derrick Burgess were both flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties during the arguments. Sapp kept talking, and he got a third one that also came with an ejection.
Teammates had to restrain Sapp, and an assistant coach escorted him off the field.
The penalties gave the Jaguars a first-and-goal at the 2, but David Garrard's pass at the goal line was intercepted by Kirk Morrison and returned 36 yards.