Washington's Jonathan Allen throws punch at teammate Daron Payne

[December 27, 2021] Emotions boiled over on the Washington Football Team's bench during Sunday night's 56-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys when star defensive tackle Jonathan Allen threw a punch at teammate Daron Payne.

The incident between the two former Alabama teammates happened in the second quarter with Washington trailing 28-7.

The two were conversing -- not politely -- when Payne, who was standing, poked his finger into the left side of Allen's head. Allen swatted Payne's hand away with his left hand and stood up and threw a hard right-handed punch that grazed the defensive tackle's face.

"I don't think it takes a rocket scientist. If you look at how that game went -- emotions are high, things happen," Allen said afterward.

Other Washington defensive players got between the two to break up the scuffle. Payne still was vehemently upset minutes later while Allen was sitting nearby.
 

After the contest, Payne had cooled off and said the incident was "wrong place, wrong time."

"You got brothers? You guys fight, right?" Payne told reporters. "It's all good."

Washington coach Ron Rivera said after the contest that there would be no punishment.

"I've talked with them and as far as I'm concerned, that's where it's gonna stay," Rivera said. "... What my players say to me is really nobody's business."

The 26-year-old Allen was named to the Pro Bowl this season for the first time in his five-year NFL career. He was the No. 17 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Payne, 24, was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2018 draft and is in his fourth season with Washington.

Washington (6-9) has dropped three straight games and has clinched a losing season for the fifth straight campaign.

--Field Level Media

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