Home / Sports / Buccaneers Rookie Fined $4,669 for Punching Tight End in Preseason
Buccaneers Rookie Fined $4,669 for Punching Tight End in Preseason
31 Aug
Summary
- Shilo Sanders fined by NFL for throwing punch in preseason game
- Sanders ejected, released by Buccaneers after incident
- Coach Bowles: "Can't throw punches in this league, it's inexcusable"
On August 23, 2025, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders found himself in hot water after an incident during a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. According to multiple reports, the 25-year-old rookie free agent was fined $4,669 by the NFL for throwing a punch at tight end Zach Davidson.
The altercation occurred during the Buccaneers' preseason contest, and Sanders was promptly ejected from the game for his actions. The following day, Tampa Bay released the young defensive back, with head coach Todd Bowles making it clear that such behavior is unacceptable in the NFL.
"You can't throw punches in this league," Bowles stated. "That's inexcusable. They're going to get you every time. Gotta grow from that."
Sanders, who was a long shot to make the Buccaneers' roster, had been listed as a third-string safety on the team's depth chart. During his six-year college football career, which included stints at South Carolina, Jackson State, and Colorado, he amassed 217 tackles, six interceptions, and five forced fumbles.
