After Sunday’s loss to the Giants — Philadelphia’s seventh loss in a row — a video emerged of Eagles coach Nick Sirianni leaving the field, along with Dom DiSandro. It appeared, based on the manner in which Sirianni manipulated the fingers on his right hand, that he sent a one-fingered message to those who were heckling him.
Sirianni was asked about the apparent gesture during a Monday press conference.
“When [senior vice president of communications] Bob [Lange] told me that, absolutely not,” Sirianni replied. “That was a surprise to me, but absolutely not.”
Frankly, what else would Sirianni say? “Yes, it was a middle finger.” If he admits it, he’ll be fined — and the precedent for coaches is $100,000.
Beyond that, why would anyone believe him? Last Friday, Sirianni admitted that he misled reporters regarding the team’s supposed commitment to quarterback Tanner McKee.
There’s one other relevant factor, based on my own personal experience. My dad used to use that exact same move, during periodic verbal household disagreements with my mom.
I saw it. She never did. But that was the move. And, if she’d seen it, he would have denied it.
Just like Sirianni did.