On the afternoon of October 11, 2026, the San Francisco 49ers faced the Seattle Seahawks in a regular‑season matchup. During the game, 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw was flagged for a personal foul after delivering a late hit on Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold, who had already stepped out of bounds. A personal foul in football is called when a player makes unnecessary or dangerous contact, and it carries a yardage penalty as well as a possible ejection if the conduct is deemed flagrant.
Following the penalty, Greenlaw pursued the play down the sideline. His pursuit brought him into contact with Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV. Greenlaw "responded by head‑butting Jones’ unprotected skull," a move that immediately drew the attention of the officials.
The officials ejected Greenlaw from the game for the headbutt. An ejection removes a player for the remainder of the contest and leaves his team to play shorthanded. At the moment of Greenlaw’s departure, the 49ers were relying on him as their No. 2 linebacker; he had led the team with 12 tackles in their previous win over the Denver Broncos, underscoring his importance to the defensive unit.
The headbutt penalty was recorded as the fourth penalty assessed against the San Francisco 49ers in the game, adding 34 yards to their penalty total.
The headbutt penalty was recorded as the fourth penalty assessed against the San Francisco 49ers in the game, adding 34 yards to their penalty total. Prior to the contest, the 49ers had entered the game as one of the least penalized teams in the NFL, having accumulated only 28 penalties for 223 yards through their first four games. The additional 34 yards pushed their season total higher.
Seattle capitalized on the disruption. Shortly after Greenlaw’s ejection, the Seahawks kicked a field goal that narrowed the 49ers’ lead to 14‑13.
Before halftime, the 49ers answered with a defensive score—a play such as a fumble recovery for a touchdown or a safety—that extended their lead to 21‑13. This score came despite the absence of Greenlaw, showing that other defenders were able to make a impact.
The ejection of Dre Greenlaw marked a notable disciplinary moment in the 49ers’ season, highlighting how a single personal foul can alter the flow of a game. While the team managed to extend their lead before the break, the loss of a key linebacker for the remainder of the contest forced San Francisco to adjust its defensive schemes for the second half. The incident remains a reference point for discussions about player conduct and the consequences of on‑field altercations.
