'Big Dom' Punishment Final: Eagles DiSandro Off Sidelines
The NFL has officially handed down its punishment for Philadelphia Eagles security chief Dom DiSandro - aka "Big Dom" - as he will be barred from being present on the sideline during any of the Eagles' remaining regular-season games.
That punishment started last week in Dallas when he was allowed to travel to DFW with the team and was allowed inside AT&T Stadium for a game the Cowboys eventually won, 33-13.
After further evaluation - including DiSandro meeting in New York in the NFL commissioner's office - the league is expanding that punishment to essentially extend out for one month.
This punishment for DiSandro comes, of course, as a result of his infamous conflict with 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw during the Eagles' Week 13 meeting with the visiting San Francisco 49ers at The Linc.
"Big Dom" inexplicably involved himself in a conflict involving Greenlaw and Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith after a late hit out of bounds - a literally unprecedented action - and Greenlaw responded by making contact with DiSandro's face.
Both men were kicked out of the game. ... which critics of the decision note is hardly fair and balanced; the Niners lost a starting player while the Eagles lost a security guard, beloved though "Big Dom'' is inside the Philly organization.
Indeed, he is a bit of a hero now, a martyr, which obviously is not the NFL's intent.
Following the incident, the NFL sent a memo to all 32 teams reiterating the league's established policy against non-player personnel making physical contact with players. One problem with the rule as it previously read: There was no specific punishment outlined for a violation.
And now? DiSandro is still allowed to do his job six days a week and to travel with the Eagles - who will be in Seattle to face the Seahawks in a primetime matchup on "Monday Night Football.'' But he'll remain in the locker room until playoff time, when his full status will be renewed.
