Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-11**Lead**
London — The first kickoff return touchdown of the 2026 NFL regular season was nullified by a holding penalty during the league's annual London game on Sunday, and two players were ejected after a violent scuffle broke out on the field. The incident occurred early in the first quarter of the matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, overshadowing what was supposed to be a showcase of American football for international fans.
**Contexto**
The game, part of the NFL's International Series, had drawn a near-capacity crowd of 62,000 spectators. On the opening kickoff, Bears return specialist Dante Pettis fielded the ball at his own 2-yard line and appeared to race 98 yards untouched for a touchdown. However, the play was immediately brought back by a yellow flag. Referee John Hussey announced that a holding penalty had been called on Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins during the return, nullifying the score. The Bears were set back to their own 12-yard line to start their first offensive drive.
According to NFL rules, holding during a kickoff return results in a 10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul. The league's officiating department later confirmed that the call was correct, as Jenkins was seen grabbing Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd around the shoulders, impeding his pursuit. The nullified touchdown was the first kickoff return score of the 2026 season, and the decision sparked immediate frustration from the Bears sideline.
Tensions escalated on the subsequent play. During a Bears running play, a shoving match erupted between Jaguars safety Andre Cisco and Bears wide receiver DJ Moore after the whistle. Both players exchanged punches and were quickly separated by teammates and officials. After a brief review, Hussey ejected both Cisco and Moore for unsportsmanlike conduct. The ejections left both teams short-handed early in the game, with the Jaguars losing a starting safety and the Bears losing their top wide receiver.
The NFL has a strict policy on fighting during games, with automatic ejection and potential fines and suspensions. League spokesperson Brian McCarthy stated after the game that the incident would be reviewed further under the personal conduct policy. No additional details were provided on possible supplementary discipline.
**Analise**
This sequence of events highlights the high emotions and physicality that define NFL football, but it also raises questions about discipline and the league's image during international showcases. The NFL has invested heavily in the London games as a way to grow the sport globally. Incidents like nullified touchdowns and on-field brawls can create a negative impression among new fans. However, they also demonstrate the intensity that makes American football compelling.
The nullified kickoff return touchdown is particularly noteworthy because special teams plays are rare and often game-changing. In the 2025 season, only two kickoff return touchdowns were scored in the entire regular season. The early nullification of the first one of 2026 could affect momentum and team strategy. Special teams coordinators across the league will likely emphasize the importance of clean blocking to avoid such costly penalties.
The ejections of Moore and Cisco also have deeper implications. The Bears, already dealing with offensive injuries, lost a key deep threat. The Jaguars, with a young secondary, lost a veteran leader. Both teams must adjust their game plans for the remainder of the London matchup and potentially for subsequent weeks if suspensions are handed down. The NFL's disciplinary committee typically reviews ejection-worthy incidents and may issue fines or suspensions based on the severity of the conduct.
From a broader perspective, the NFL's international series continues to grow, with plans to expand to more countries. Maintaining order and sportsmanship is crucial for the league's brand. The quick response by officials to eject the players shows a zero-tolerance approach. However, the nullified touchdown will likely spark debates about the consistency of holding calls on returns, as many fans and analysts believe such plays are overly penalized.
**Fontes**
The information in this report was gathered from live game coverage by NFL Network, officiating announcements from referee John Hussey, and a post-game statement from NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy. Additional context on kickoff return statistics was provided by Pro Football Reference and the NFL's official statistical database.