Tepper Tantrum: How Should NFL Punish Drink-Tossing Carolina Panthers Owner?
Life in the NFC South can be a frustrating challenge - even for billionaire owners. Atlanta Falcons boss Arthur Blank certainly knows the drill; his team's opportunity to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 NFL season seems to be slipping away.
But it's one thing for it to "slip." It's another thing for it to be "thrown" or "tossed" or whatever at a fan, which is presently the problem the NFL has with Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper.
Tepper, already a controversial figure among critics of his wobbly franchise and his team's NFL-worst 2-14 record, could be - should be? - facing a stern punishment from the NFL for his actions during last Sunday's game, yet another Panthers loss.
In a video posted to social media, Tepper appears to toss a drink in the direction of a fan of the opposing Jacksonville Jaguars. Tepper is in an open-air suite, and he is frustrated with the 26-0 loss, and ...
He should be in trouble as he is clearly in violation of the league's personal conduct policy. Angry fans aren't allowed to toss things at players. Angry players aren't allowed to throw things at fans.
It stands to reason that angry owners be held to the same standard.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy is saying that the league is "aware of the video" and has "no further comment at this time." That is appropriate as the league investigates.
We won't follow the overwrought (as usual) lead of ProFootballTalk, which is citing the possibility of Tepper being charged with "assault and battery" while also expressing deep COVID-related concern that if the liquid in Tepper's cup "did indeed get in (a fan's) eyes, nose, or mouth (it would) create reasonable fear of being infected by whatever virus Tepper might have been carrying."
We're not sure that take is at all "reasonable." But Tepper being punished in a way that demonstrates that an owner should be a held to a higher standard than that of a fan? That - as a way to set a precedent here - is reasonable.
