It was an eventful day for Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Tuesday represented the Titans' first padded practice of training camp and it made headlines for the wrong reasons.
Simmons' lackluster morning began with him inciting a scuffle that involved first-round offensive tackle JC Latham. The next few reps were continuously chippy, with other players joining the fray. Head coach Brian Callahan was not pleased with his team losing their cool.
Pretty good scuffle at @Titans camp. Jeffery Simmons in middle of it on back-to-back plays. JC Latham not backing down. Too many others to name in middle of it, but saw Mason Kinsey thrown to ground.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) July 30, 2024
Saw HC Brian Callahan pissed off for first time.
The Titans had a referee in attendance at practice. A ref's presence helps give the players clarity on penalties and non-penalties in preparation for regular-season play. The official clarified that Simmons would have been ejected from a game for his antics.
Simmons just swung at Latham after some pushing a shoving…refs said 98 would have been tossed in game. He’s back in for the next two and immediately starts a brawl. Sloppy. Simmons needs to lock tf in
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) July 30, 2024
Simmons' day went from bad to downright embarrassing. At the conclusion of practice, Tennessee's superstar pass rusher approached 104-5 The Zone local radio host Buck Reising in the middle of him doing a live taping from the training camp facility. Reising was actually preparing to sit down with Titans cornerback Roger McCreary when Simmons approached his desk to berate him on live air.
WARNING: In this now viral clip, Simmons can be heard using Not Safe For Work (NSFW) language. Tread with caution if you prefer not to hear any expletives. It's unclear what Simmons was so upset about.
— Jesse Cooper (@jjcoop_12) July 30, 2024
It wasn't Simmons' first notable media-involved antic in recent weeks. Simmons was critical of how some media members covered the Jamal Adams signing in early July. He allegedly blocked multiple analysts on Twitter/X for voicing their opinion, and then declined an opportunity to address his "beef" with the media when asked about it during his first open speaking session, claiming he was "moving on."
Tuesday's incident indicates he hasn't moved on. Coach Callahan downplayed the on-field fight involving Simmons after practice.
"It was our first day in pads and the guys were cranked up," Callahan said. "They understand what it is. We ran them back in and didn't have any problems. I don't anticipate it being an issue. Fighting is not something we want to accept. I've explained that before and I'll explain it again. It's training camp, the first day of pads, guys are trying to set the tone. Those things don't bother me so much," Callahan added.
Callahan on the fights at practice today and why he didn’t kick out Jeffery Simmons from practice…
— Jill Jelnick (@JillJelnick) July 30, 2024
“I don’t anticipate it being a problem.”@FOXNashville @titans #titans pic.twitter.com/hapFkOq8ou
Fights at training camp aren't a new development, particularly when the pads come on. Simmons has been involved in various strange incidents in recent weeks though, largely pertaining to social media. A team leader like Simmons shouldn't be so bothered over an analyst/reporter offering his/her opinion.