Panthers’ Tommy Tremble Says TD Taunt Was Payback for Cooper DeJean’s ‘Suplex’ on Teammate

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble sparked a scoring drive and a sideline debate during Sunday’s 25-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, admitting after the game that a fourth-quarter taunting penalty was a calculated act of retaliation. Tremble was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after scoring a 19-yard touchdown, a move he confirmed was aimed at Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean.

The incident occurred on October 18, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field, and while the Panthers secured the win to move to 3-2 on the season, Tremble’s actions carried a tangible cost. The 15-yard penalty was assessed on the point-after attempt, forcing kicker Ryan Fitzgerald into a 48-yard extra-point try. Fitzgerald missed the attempt, leaving the Panthers with six points on the play instead of seven.

According to Tremble, the motivation for the taunt stemmed from an earlier play involving teammate Mitchell Evans. During a Chuba Hubbard run, DeJean was flagged for unnecessary roughness after what officials and Panthers players described as a “suplex” tackle on Evans. Tremble stated that seeing his fellow tight end slammed to the turf motivated his reaction when he found the end zone later in the game.

“I saw what happened to Mitch,” Tremble said following the game. “In that moment, when I got in, I had to let him know.”

DeJean, however, disputed the characterization of the initial personal foul. Following the Panthers’ 25-14 win, the Eagles defender claimed that Evans was essentially on his back and flipped over him while attempting to walk over him, rather than being intentionally slammed.

A Career Day and Philadelphia Ties

Despite the penalty and the missed extra point, the game marked a significant milestone for Tremble. It was the first two-touchdown game of his professional career. Earlier in the contest, Tremble celebrated a score with teammate Jalen Coker by performing a “Rocky” themed celebration, a nod to Philadelphia culture and his family history. Tremble’s father had a brief stint with the Eagles organization in 1995.

The loss dropped the Eagles to 2-4, as they struggled to contain a Panthers offense that found success through physical play and emotional energy. While the “suplex” and the subsequent taunt provided the game’s primary friction point, the Panthers’ defense held firm in the closing minutes to prevent an Eagles comeback.

The NFL has not yet announced if Tremble or DeJean will face fines for their respective penalties. For the Panthers, the focus shifts to maintaining their winning record, though the coaching staff will likely address the discipline error that led to the missed scoring opportunity in an otherwise successful outing.

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