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Why did Jonathan Allen punch teammate Daron Payne? Washington bench gets heated

An angry Payne put his finger in Allen's face and the latter retaliated with a punch at Payne's head

During the Washington Football Team’s game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, December 26, things got heated on the sidelines during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. 

Washington (6-8) went down 28-7 in what turned out to be the biggest blowout in their history of rivalry with the Dallas. As frustration boiled over to the sideline, the NBC broadcast caught an incident between defensive linemen Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen on the bench. When the linemen were huddling to regroup and discuss what’s happening on the defensive side, things got heated. An angry Payne put his finger in Allen's face and the latter retaliated with a punch at Payne's head. The punch did not land and the two teammates had to be broken up on the sideline.

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"I've talked with them and as far as I'm concerned, that's where it's gonna stay," Washington head coach Ron Rivera said after the game. Allen said: "When things are going bad like they are, things get heated. ... (Expletive) happens. Brothers fight." Rivera also stated that he'd spoken to both players and that there would be punishment for the fracas. The two were once teammates in college at Alabama. 

'Maybe Jonathan Allen had some bbq sauce on his face'

Early in the second quarter, Washington was already down 28-7. The defense had every reason to be frustrated but it’s rare teammates nearly come to blows with the cameras watching during a game. Washington would lose 56-14.

The team came into the Week 16 game ranked 25th in points allowed and 23rd in yards allowed to go with their 6-8 record.

Fans obviously had something to say over the unsavory incident.

"Nick Saban watching Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne fight," one of them said, while another said, "DaRon Payne appeared to be yelling at Allen who was calmly talking back at him. Then he stood up and put his finger on Jon Allen's face while yelling at him. You're asking for a dude to react unfavorably at that point." A third added, "I’m not surprised Allen and Payne went at it. Football players are built differently. Putting your finger in another man’s face, teammates or not. Is viewed as disrespectful. DISRESPECT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. I’ve seen it happened TOO many times in 14 yrs."

One more noted, "Jon Allen swung at Daron Payne on the bench after Payne put a finger in Allen's face. Things are going well on the patented DRAGON SEATS climate-controlled benches! #WashingtonFootball." A commenter tweeted, "People freaking out seeing Allen & Payne going at each other…I’ve seen two fights on Alabama’s sideline in separate national title games they were en route to WINNING." Another stated, "Maybe Jonathan Allen had some bbq sauce on his face and Payne was helping him remove it so he didnt embarass himself. Sounds like they’re just good friends and teammates." A person reacted with, "WFT should give Daron Payne to the Cowboys and see if the defense starts putting up a fight."