Antonio Brown Elsa/Getty Images

7 of the Biggest NFL Sideline Meltdowns Since 2015

David Kenyon

Football is an emotion-filled game, so there will always be passionate moments happening all over the field.

On occasion, though, it can spill over the sideline.

During the last decade, NFL fans have watched any number of people show their frustration on the bench. We've seen helmets and tablets turn into projectiles, players screaming at each other or a coach, and other—well, let's label them unique ways to express displeasure.

Undoubtedly, other tantrums you may recall are not included, but the following moments are a memorable part of recent NFL history.

Odell Beckham Jr. Swings at the Kicking Net

I don't imagine Odell Beckham Jr. will forget what happened during a September 2016 game against rival Washington.

As the New York Giants held a 26-24 lead, Eli Manning threw a red-zone interception. Beckham didn't handle the turnover particularly well, swinging his helmet at the specialists' net in frustration.

Most impressively, that inanimate object fought back.

The net fell and clipped OBJ's face, leaving a literal mark after the metaphorical pain. New York ended up losing 29-27 after Manning tossed an interception on the Giants' late, desperation drive.

At least Beckham hugged it out with the net later?

Payne-Allen Sideline Fight

Late in the 2021 season, Washington was headed for another playoff-less finish. The team hit rock bottom in Week 16.

The short version is the defense had no answers for the Dallas Cowboys. Their longtime rival racked up 497 yards in a 56-14 rout of Washington, which quickly fell behind 28-7 in the first 20 minutes of the game.

After that fourth Cowboys score, defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne snapped at each other.

The once-Alabama teammates, seated next to each other on the bench, exchanged words before Payne pushed a finger into Allen's face. Allen, as you can imagine, didn't take kindly to that and threw a punch.

Both players and the team promptly moved on from the incident, but it's one lasting memory from a difficult 2021 campaign.

Antonio Brown Quits the Bucs

Have you ever watched a professional athlete quit midgame? Not in the sense of subpar effort; I mean literally quit.

Antonio Brown did exactly that in Week 17 of the 2021 season.

The receiver's sad three-year plunge from All-Pro stardom ended with him leaving the field shirtless in a game against the New York Jets. Teammates had tried to calm Brown—who said he had an injured ankle and was being coerced to play—but he ripped off his jersey, pads, undershirt and gloves and headed to the locker room.

After the game, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said Brown was no longer part of the team. Tampa cut him within a week.

Tom Brady Throws Helmet, Tablet

Many, many players have taken out their frustration on a tablet. Tom Brady is not alone in this particular tantrum.

But, shoot, the device must've sworn at him or something.

While with the Buccaneers in 2022, Brady walked to the sideline after a drive stalled. He tossed his helmet down then picked up a tablet and whipped it onto the ground. Apparently, it was actually one of two devices that he broke that September evening.

Though the New Orleans Saints held him to a frustrating 190 passing yards, Brady and the Bucs ultimately won 20-10.

Davante Adams' Postgame Frustration

Fast-forward to 2024, and Davante Adams' tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders hasn't gone as hoped. Only a few weeks into the season, the wideout requested a trade from Vegas.

Despite having an All-Pro campaign in 2022, some of this tension began to appear right away in his debut year.

On a Monday night in Kansas City, Adams caught two touchdowns. But it wasn't enough for the Raiders, who gave up a 13-point lead, missed a late go-ahead two-point conversion and fell 30-29. The loss dropped Las Vegas to 1-4 on the season, and Adams lost his temper.

First, Adams slammed his helmet on the sideline. Then, he shoved a freelance cameraman—a 20-year-old college student—to the ground while walking to the locker room.

The push resulted in a misdemeanor assault charge, which was dropped after several months.

DK Metcalf Breaks a Helmet Warmer

So much for a warm helmet, huh?

In simple terms, the 2023 season was slipping away from DK Metcalf and the Seattle Seahawks. The team had started 6-3 but trudged to four consecutive losses, the last of which was a 28-16 result against the rival San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco built that 12-point margin with a touchdown on the second play of the fourth quarter. Seattle, in that moment, knew it could hardly afford an empty possession.

Instead, the offense's first play resulted in a Drew Lock interception.

Metcalf walked to the sideline, grabbed his facemask and slammed the helmet into a heater perched on the bench.

Travis Kelce Screams at Andy Reid

Early in the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII, the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs were still scoreless. They'd largely been unable to move the ball on a stout San Francisco defense.

Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Mecole Hardman changed that, however, with a 52-yard connection that put K.C. in business.

And then, disaster.

Running back Isiah Pacheco lost a fumble on the ensuing play, squandering a valuable red-zone opportunity. All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce helplessly watched the snap from the sideline, which led to him screaming at and bumping Kansas City coach Andy Reid.

Kelce later apologized for the "unacceptable" moment, but it was easier to stomach after the Chiefs won 25-22.

   

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