Philadelphia Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro has been banned from the team’s sideline for Sunday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys for his involvement in last Sunday’s altercation with San Francisco 49ers’ LB Dre Greenlaw. The incident started with a late hit from Greenlaw on Eagles wideout DeVonta Smith. When “Big Dom” stepped in to protect Smith as a standoff ensued, both Greenlaw and DiSandro were ejected from the game when the dust settled. However, only one of them received a standing ovation as he walked off the field donning the Italian flag on the side of his hat and shirt.
While Greenlaw said that he and DiSandro have already apologized to one another through intermediaries and that he holds no ill will against the security chief, the NFL will not be as quick to forget the scuffle. In a statement from Philadelphia, the organization noted that “this is an ongoing conversation with the NFL, and we are going to respect the restriction that is currently in place. Although Dom will not be on the sideline this Sunday, he will continue to fulfill his role with the team in all other capacities.”
The Eagles weren’t the only ones to release official communication regarding the incident, as the NFL also sent a memo to teams reminding them to ensure that all members of game day staff “understand that their role does not extend to being involved with game day altercations and that they must refrain from such involvement.”
The entire story has catapulted “Big Dom” into the national spotlight, making him a fan favorite in Philadelphia. Yet, his larger stature and the physical nature of the altercation have led many social media users to compare the first-generation Italian-American to a member of the mafia.
How original.
DiSandro’s light-hearted personality is well-documented, and even Greenlaw has stated that “he seemed like a genuine guy, seemed like a guy that everybody loved in the building” before noting his regret for escalating the fracas. This sentiment was echoed by Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, who also wears Italy’s flag as part of the NFL Heritage program, saying that “in Dom’s heart, he truly was trying to defuse the situation.” Nevertheless, the South Philadelphia native has been subjected to tweet after tweet questioning his potential involvement in the mob based on nothing but his appearance.
The Italian-American mafia stereotype has long been perpetuated by American society, but as we approach 2024, you’d think these types of hurtful statements would be behind us. To the chagrin of these individuals, the only thing “criminal” about the Philadelphia Eagles is their ability to “Dom”-inate opposing teams in the NFL with a league-best 10-2 record. However, an Eagles loss on Sunday in DiSandro’s absence would leave both teams tied for the top spot in the NFC East.
Resources:
- Eagles security guard DiSandro banned from sideline for Sunday Night Football vs. Cowboys [AP News]
- NFL sends memo to teams regarding conduct of club personnel following 49ers-Eagles sideline incident [NFL]
