How many times has this happened to you?

You’re watching a football game and before you can even celebrate a big hit, you hold your breath and wait. Then scan the field to make sure you don’t see a late message.

This happens to coaches too. And that’s why Vic Fangio was so pleased in Sunday’s 22-16 win over the Panthers when the referees kept their flags to themselves after a fierce but clean hit from CJ Gardner-Johnson in the first quarter.

“He did a good job in this game. “This was a huge success that was 100% legal,” Fangio said Tuesday. “Kudos to the referee for not falling for a big hit and just automatically throwing a flag.

“I know it was a few years ago, but when I was in San Francisco we had some big hitting safeties and they got sacked about six or seven times for false hits and unnecessary roughness. And every single one of them came back as a bad decision. So I think the administration in this area has improved.”

Oh my God. We’ll just leave this here 😳@CGJXXIII | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/2oaGvvDFxd

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 8, 2024

Gardner-Johnson’s hit on receiver Xavier Legette was violent but textbook clean. He timed the punch perfectly, led it with his shoulder and didn’t leave his feet.

During training camp, Fangio showed his players clips of hard, clean hits. When asked Tuesday, Fangio said this hit from CJGJ could make it into the role.

“We always try to teach that,” Fangio said. “And every time we see it on tape, we show it to the players. ‘You can do it like that.’ You can’t do it like that.’ And keep trying to drive that point home.”

Sunday was an eventful game for Gardner-Johnson. In addition to the hit, he had his third interception of the season, had to be evaluated for a concussion and then suffered a painful injury late in the fourth quarter.

But it started with a bang. It was fitting that former Eagles powerhouse cornerback Sheldon Brown served as honorary captain on Sunday.

Gardner-Johnson’s big hit came on a 3rd-and-10 on Sunday’s fifth play from scrimmage. Without the hit, that’s probably a catch and a new set of disadvantages. Instead, the Panthers were forced to punt on 4th-and-10.

It was a big play in a game that ended up being too close to be happy with.

“NO. 1, it got us off the field because it was third down,” Fangio said. “But any time you can get a big hit, it gets people going.”

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