Philadelphia Eagles defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson had one last parting gift for Washington Commanders fans at Northwest Stadium on Sunday: two middle fingers.
Gardner-Johnson received a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the second half and was ejected from the game. He appeared to get into a fight with Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown and was shoved into his helmet. Gardner-Johnson still received the penalty.
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Philadelphia Eagles safety CJ Gardner-Johnson celebrates his interception against the Washington Commanders during the first half on Sunday. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
He responded to the incident in X.
“Respectfully, they threw me out for nothing. I play with passion and fire!! The boys were chirping all day what did they expect!!” he wrote.
The safety had three interceptions, a forced fumble and 57 total tackles for the Eagles this season entering the game against the Commanders.
He added another interception to his total against Washington.
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Losing Gardner-Johnson may have been as detrimental to the Eagles’ defense as losing Jalen Hurts was to the offense. Philadelphia led by 10 points when Gardner-Johnson was ejected and scored another three when they recovered the ball after a fumble.
Jayden Daniels threw three of his five touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. The Commanders scored 22 points in the final frame and stunned the Eagles, 36-33.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, center, watches as a pass is intercepted by Philadelphia Eagles safety CJ Gardner-Johnson (8) during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. (Images by Geoff Burke-Imagn)
“We didn’t do enough,” Eagles running back Saquon Barkley said. “We left a lot of plays there, including me.”
The loss snapped a 10-game winning streak.
