Trotter, Mathis ejected after pregame scuffle

ATLANTA (Sept. 12, 2005) -- Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin Mathis were ejected about a half-hour before their teams' season opener following a scuffle during pregame warmups. - NFL Football -

Emotions between the teams that played in the 2004 NFC Championship Game clearly were running high when they came together at midfield.

Trotter apparently pushed Mathis, who responded with a punch. Another Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall also appeared to throw a punch. Everyone then got into it, which forced the officials to step in. - NFL Football -

Trotter and Mathis were ejected after the officials peered into the replay monitor, which normally is used to rectify disputed calls during the game. This time, it came in handy in determining who started the fight and which players were involved.

Moments later, another brawl nearly broke out. As the Atlanta players were trotting back to the locker room, they noticed the Eagles gathering on the Falcons logo in the middle of the field.

The Falcons ran en masse back to the 50-yard line and fought for position with the Eagles, forcing the officials to separate the teams again. No punches were thrown, and both teams went off slowly in opposite directions to their respective locker rooms. - NFL Football -

Fans in the half-filled Georgia Dome -- the rest of the sellout crowd was still outside -- booed the Eagles heavily as they headed toward the tunnel. But the mood softened when Falcons owner Arthur Blank went on the field to discuss fund-raising efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Atlanta appeared to get the best of the ejections.

Trotter is a three-time Pro Bowl selection who led Philadelphia with eight tackles in its 27-10 victory against the Falcons in the 2004 NFC Championship Game. He was replaced at the crucial middle linebacker position by second-year player Mike Labinjo, who played only three games last season and is making his first career start. - NFL Football -

Mathis is a backup cornerback whom Atlanta uses mainly in passing situations.

There were no problems when the captains gathered at midfield just before the game for the coin toss, which went off without delay. The Eagles won the flip, received the kickoff and quickly drove into Falcons territory. But the Atlanta defense stiffened, and David Akers missed a 49-yard field goal attempt. - NFL Football -

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