Tensions erupted between New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Tennessee Titans receiver A.J. Brown during joint practices on Thursday. Gilmore and Brown got into a shoving match that escalated into a fight between multiple Patriots and Titans players.
The dustup didn’t last long with both Titans coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Jon Robinson breaking up the brawl. Vrabel, in particular, was animated and screamed obscenities at his players, according to reporters on the scene.
Defensive backs Jason and Devin McCourty, safety Terrence Brooks and receiver Tajae Sharpe were among those involved in the fight. All in all, over 20 players were in the scrum, according to MassLive’s Andrew Callahan.
The Patriots and Titans have plenty of familiarity with one another. Vrabel, a retired Patriots linebacker, once played with quarterback Tom Brady and under coach Bill Belichick. Cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan and running back Dion Lewis are also former Patriots.
But apparently, that didn’t ease the tensions between these two teams, particularly when Gilmore and Brown, a rookie, have no ties to one another.
