Football players Xavier Legette from the Panthers and Rayshawn Jenkins from the Browns were removed from the preseason game after exchanging physical blows.
Carolina Panthers' Xavier Legette Ejected in Preseason Opener
In a surprising turn of events during the Carolina Panthers' preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns on August 8, 2025, wide receiver Xavier Legette was ejected after a physical altercation with Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins.
The incident occurred in the first quarter of the game at Bank of America Stadium. According to reports, the brawl was triggered when Legette aggressively blocked Jenkins during a Panthers run attempt. Legette appeared to throw multiple punches at Jenkins, while Jenkins responded by grabbing Legette's face mask and ripping off his helmet. Both players were disqualified for getting physical according to Coach Dave Canales.
Legette apologized to "Panthers nation" for his actions, expressing regret and assuring that such behavior would not recur. "It won't happen again," he stated on his social media account after the game.
The altercation overshadowed Legette's debut in the preseason, as he did not record any catches before being tossed. This incident added to the scrutiny on Legette, who was under pressure after a mixed rookie season and with the Panthers having recently drafted a new leading receiver to complement the team.
Despite the incident, the Panthers' first game of the regular season is against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 7. The season opener will be on the road.
The incident raised concerns about tempers flaring for both players in the season ahead. No further disciplinary actions from the league have been reported at this time.
For updates on this story and other sports coverage, subscribe to our Sports Huddle newsletter on our website Digital. You can also follow the sports coverage of the incident on our website Digital, where Paulina Dedaj, our Sports Reporter, provides comprehensive coverage.
In light of Xavier Legette's ejection during the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, there are questions about his temperament in American football, specifically football and NFL games. During the incident, he was involved in a physical altercation with Rayshawn Jenkins, which also resulted in Jenkins' ejection.
