Cardinals HC Gannon apologizes for controversial altercation with RB Demercado in Week 5

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

GLENDALE – The biggest play in Sunday’s 22-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans was Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado dropping the ball at the goal line to forgo a game-sealing touchdown. The play had fans in an uproar, and sideline footage revealed that head coach Jonathan Gannon was similarly livid.

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The video showed Gannon storming over to Demercado and getting in his face tearing into the young halfback. Gannon finished his rant with a hard pat on the chest that was aggressive from the usual level-headed coach. A night sleep made the third-year Cardinals coach realize that too, as he apologized on Monday to Demercado.

Gannon’s full apology to Demercado on Monday:

Gannon stated postgame after the loss that one play doesn’t lose the team the game, which he reiterated in his apology. The interaction was a “mistake” by the 42-year-old, one of the many the team’s made on Sunday that likely led to the team blowing an 18-point lead to the winless Titans team.

As the franchise sits at 2-3, this is the lowest point in Gannon’s tenure in the Valley. Arizona entered the year with high expectations that it has failed to match, which might’ve led the the fiery spat between Gannon and Demercado on Sunday. The obstacles don’t get any easier for the Cardinals, who play the 4-1 Indianapolis Colts on the road next Sunday.

Which Cardinals coach is more on the hot seat: Jonathan Gannon or Drew Petzing?

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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports