A pair of ejections were necessary in the Carolina Panthers preseason opener. Dave Canales knows the situation shouldn’t have gotten to that point, but it all began back on Wednesday, August 6.
The Cleveland Browns got the last laugh, defeating the Panthers, 30-10. It’s a performance that Shedeur Sanders won’t soon forget, but the game featured a heated moment that social media couldn’t get enough of.
Xavier Legette and Rayshawn Jenkins Record First Ejections of the 2025 NFL Season
It didn’t take long for the NFL to see it’s first ejections of the 2025 season. While it’s only the preseason, it took just a few games before things got heated. Rayshawn Jenkins’ antics on Wednesday were more than enough to get Xavier Legette’s patience to boil over.
Days ago, Jenkins threw a ball at Panthers running back, Chuba Hubbard. Legette had every intention of standing up for his teammate, whether it cost him the rest of the game or not. Ultimately, he issued a brief apology from the locker room.
Panthers nation I apologize It want happen again ‼️‼️ i appreCiate youu all🫡
— Xavier Legette (@XavierLegette) August 8, 2025
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“Panthers nation I apologize it won’t happen again. I appreciate you all,” the second-year receiver said. In Legette’s rookie season, he finished with 497 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Many pointed out the age difference, which made the fight that much more intriguing. Legette was a 1st round draft pick in 2024, with Jenkins selected No. 113 overall back in 2017. He’s currently on his fourth team, looking to earn a spot on the roster.
Currently, ESPN has Jenkins listed as SS2 behind only Grant Delpit. The result of this fight has neither hurt nor helped his chances, but that remains to be seen.
Social Media Breaks Down the Fight
One fan loved every second of the Browns vs. Panthers game, “man we got Xavier legette beating up senior citizens and Shadeur sanders flexing on defenses after every completion, THE NFL IS SO BACK!!!”
xavier legette getting kicked out the game for standing on business💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/oVchJFcy5G
— DillingHim (@DillingHim) August 8, 2025
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This Panthers fan was heartbroken, “Xavier Legette getting kicked out the game for standing on business,” as they included an iconic gif along with three broken heart emojis.
A Browns fan stated, “I need Rayshawn Jenkins on the 53”, alluding to his journey of making the team’s roster. In his career, he’s played in 122 games. Last season broke a streak of back-to-back 17 game seasons. He suited up in just 13 games for the Seattle Seahawks.
This user circled back to the iconic Florida vs. Tennessee fight, “Xavier Legette & Rayshawn Jenkins in the middle of a random preseason game:”
Nobody:
Xavier Legette & Rayshawn Jenkins in the middle of a random preseason game: pic.twitter.com/8p9w0ApWWZ
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) August 8, 2025
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Less than ten minutes came off the clock before both men were ejected. One fan is far from surprised, “Rayshawn Jenkins getting ejected from a *pre-season* game is less surprising when you remember that he got into a fight at a Senior Bowl practice.”
This fan joked, “Xavier Legette and Rayshawn Jenkins delivering the undercard while the main event is Shedeur Sanders.” Sanders impressed in his preseason reps, going 14-23 with 138 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also ran the ball 4 times for 19 yards.
Canales wants to use this moment as a learning experience for Legette moving forward. The second-year player let a veteran get the best of him, something he would rather have happen now than in the regular season.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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