Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon issued an apology to running back Emari Demercado after a tense sideline confrontation during Arizona’s Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Cardinals fell 21-22 after entering the fourth quarter up 21-6. A key moment came when Demercado broke loose on a long 72-yard run that looked like a touchdown. Replay showed he released the ball before crossing the goal line. Officials ruled it a fumble out of the back of the end zone and awarded a touchback to Tennessee. That call swung momentum; the Titans responded with 16 straight points and edged Arizona by one.
Demercado finished with 81 rushing yards, but the wiped-out score proved decisive. Video of the aftermath showed Gannon confronting Demercado on the sideline and making a quick physical gesture. The clip drew attention and concern inside the locker room and on social media. On Monday, Gannon addressed the incident and the team.
“I woke up this morning and didn’t feel great about it, honestly,” he said. He apologized directly to Demercado and to the team. Gannon explained that he let the moment get the better of him and that his job requires emotional control.
Gannon on the video with Emari Demercado:
“I didn’t see the video. I woke up this morning I didn’t feel great about it and I apologize to the team & Emari” pic.twitter.com/aCYQavABc8
— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) October 6, 2025
“I try to be emotionally stable and calm because my job is to solve problems during a game. It’s not really who I am, who I want to be,” he added. “It’s a mistake by me, and it’s just like everybody in there. Everybody made some type of mistake yesterday, which is culminates to why we didn’t win the game.”
Arizona, now 2-3 after three narrow losses, must regroup quickly. Gannon’s apology aimed to repair trust and refocus the locker room as the Cardinals look ahead. The team and coach will need clear communication and composure to prevent similar collapses in upcoming weeks. Now.
GET MORE TOP STORIESfrom The Big Leadbysubscribing to TBL YouTubechannel
WEEKEND ROUNDUP:Undefeated no more, Blue Jays crush Yankees, and more
NFL:NFL head coaches on the hot seat heading into Week 6
NBA:NBA fans are in awe of Victor Wembanyama’s epic coast-to-coast dunk
SPORTS MEDIA:Eric Collins delivers epic call in Panthers’ comeback win over Dolphins
WNBA:Sophie Cunningham brutally calls out WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert
VIRAL:Justin Herbert shares pregame kiss with Madison Beer