Jets offensive linemen D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Willie Colon were both ejected in the closing moments of Thursday night’s loss to the Patriots, and both said afterward that it was simply a matter of frustration boiling over.
“I don’t really remember the details of what happened; I just know that at the end of the day I was ejected,” said Ferguson, who was tossed for throwing a punch. “It was just a lot of frustration today and we didn’t really have the result we were looking for.”
Colon, who was ejected for contact with an official, said he was tired of losing and became angry when he saw a fight breaking out.
“I hope I don’t get suspended. I hope it is not the case,” Colon said. “I lost my temper. I lost my cool out there and we can’t have it. It hurts your team and I know better, so it is my fault.”
The fight started when Jets center Nick Mangold hit Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib in the knees after Talib had stepped out of bounds while returning an interception. The Patriots thought Mangold had taken a cheap shot, but Jets coach Rex Ryan defended his player.
“I think Mangold tried to make a tackle, is what I think happened,” Ryan said. “And does, he goes, and tried to take the guy. And you know, I think what happened is Nick went down, the guy turned his back, he ran into the back of his legs and wasn’t intentional, by any means. He just tried to make a cut tackle. And he went out of bounds and then all heck broke loose apparently.”
All hell breaking loose was a fitting end to an ugly game.