Fights happen at training camp. Between the heat of summer in Baltimore and the fire that comes from competing on every play, sometimes tempers flare. But it appears as though the Baltimore Ravens wanted to give safety Earl Thomas a little more time to cool down.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Ravens sent Thomas home following a fight with fellow safety Chuck Clark on Friday. Sure enough, come Saturday morning’s practice, Thomas was among those absent from the field, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
While fights are nothing new, the idea of a fight between two players on the same side of the ball and at the same position is a bit of an oddity. According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, the fight stemmed from Thomas taking exception to being called out for a bad play by Clark with Thomas throwing a punch at his teammate before other players could separate them.
This isn’t the first time Thomas has gotten into it with a defensive teammate. Thomas and defensive tackle Brandon Williams got into a “heated discussion” following a loss to the Cleveland Browns last season. Luckily players and staff got between the pair so it didn’t get physical.
With a pattern emerging and Thomas drawing headlines this offseason as well, it’s a situation worth monitoring.
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