Philadelphia Eagles defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson had one last parting gift for Washington Commanders fans at Northwest Stadium on Sunday: two middle fingers.
Gardner-Johnson received a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the second half and was kicked out of the game. He appeared to get into a scuffle with Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown and was pushed in the helmet. Gardner-Johnson still received the penalty.
He responded to the incident on X.
"Respectfully got kicked out for nothing, I play with passion and fire!! Guys was chirping all day what u expect !!" he wrote.
The safety had three interceptions, a forced fumble and 57 total tackles for the Eagles this season coming into the game against the Commanders.
He added another interception to his total against Washington.
Losing Gardner-Johnson may have been as detrimental to the Eagles’ defense as losing Jalen Hurts was to the offense. Philadelphia led by 10 points when Gardner-Johnson was ejected and scored another three when they got the ball back after a fumble.
Jayden Daniels threw three of his five touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. The Commanders scored 22 points in the final frame and stunned the Eagles, 36-33.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, center, watches as a pass is intercepted by Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (8) during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
"We didn't do enough," Eagles running back Saquon Barkley said. "We left a lot of plays out there, including myself."
