If suspended Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw is getting a lesson from the NFL in keeping his composure, maybe that lesson needs to be extended to NFL referees as well.
While Greenlaw was suspended for briefly chasing NFL referee Brad Allen following a wild, 33-32 win over the New York Giants in Week 7, video appears to show what provoked Greenlaw’s initial involvement when Allen first shoved Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad.
In a field level video posted by The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel on his official X account, Allen shoves Strnad as the Broncos rush the field following Wil Lutz’s game winning field goal. It does not appear as if Strnad even makes initial contact with Strnad other than running right in front of him, although he briefly looks back at Allen and appears annoyed after the shove before rushing to celebrate with his teammates.
Allen’s shove of Strnad happened right in front of Greenlaw, who took exception. He briefly ran after Allen before rookie edge rusher Que Robinson rushed over to step in, but not before Allen completed his full “Male Karen” moment, threw a flag in the air and ran toward Greenlaw, pointing at him like he wanted someone to call the manager.
Greenlaw, who was playing in his first game of the season, was suspended for 1 game by the NFL. He will miss Denver’s Week 8 home game against the Dallas Cowboys.
“Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw was suspended one game by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct toward a referee following Sunday’s win against the New York Giants, the league announced Monday,” ESPN’s Jeff Legwold wrote on October 20. “According to the NFL’s statement, Greenlaw ‘chased after referee Brad Allen and verbally threatened him as he tried to leave the field.’ ”
Broncos Paid Big Money for Greenlaw
Greenlaw not playing until the seventh game already represented some form of disappointment for the Broncos, who coughed up a 3-year, $31.5 million contract for the free agent linebacker on March 10.
Greenlaw suffered an undisclosed injury while working out in April and wasn’t with the team through the offseason. Greenlaw only played 2 games in 2024 after famously tearing his Achilles tendon in Super Bowl LVIII while playing for the San Francisco 49ers.
Against the Giants, Greenlaw was on the field for just 21 plays but made a big impact with 6 tackles and one QB hit.
“Brad Allen (the ref) is seen pushing Strnad and Dre Greenlaw goes to confront him,” Broncos fan Trev wrote on his official X account. “Players can’t put their hands on the refs, but they can put their hands on players … “
“If you go frame by frame, Brad Allen pushes Justin Strnad out of the way,” Mile High Mario wrote on his official X account. “You can also see Strnad turn back towards him and say something before Greenlaw emerges.”
Suspension Can’t Overshadow Incredible Win
The suspension still couldn’t overshadow the Broncos’ history making win — one in which they trailed 19-0 headed into the fourth quarter.
“NFL teams had won an incredible 1,602 straight games when leading by 18+ points in the final six minutes,” The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov wrote on his official X account. “The Giants led 26-8 with six minutes left… and the Broncos came back to win 33-32.”
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