So what caused the NFL to ultimately impose six-figure fines on the Seahawks and coach Pete Carroll for impermissible contact during a supposedly non-contact minicamp practice?
Per a source with direct knowledge of the situation, the NFLPA started the investigation after reports emerged of a fight at a June 18 practice involving cornerback Richard Sherman and receiver Bryan Walters. Coach Pete Carroll had to stop practice in order to restore order.
The NFLPA caught wind of the situation via TV reports of the altercation. At that point, the NFLPA asked the Seahawks to surrender the video of all offseason practices.
Inspection of the footage resulted in the union concluding that the practice was “way too aggressive,” per the source. Aggression was detected not simply on one or two plays but for the entire practice. While the penalties reportedly cover only the day of the fight evidence of excessive aggressiveness was spotted over multiple days of the minicamp.
“Coaches were coaching contact,” the source said. And the NFL apparently agreed, given that the league ultimately imposed unprecedented fines for something that happens in plenty of offseason practices. But apparently not to this extent.