While the Eagles and Cowboys toiled through a meaningless game on the field, tensions were high in the press box as the team's PR staffers ejected Philadelphia Inquirer beat writer Jeff McLane for what was considered a violation of the "fan code of conduct."
Les Bowen reported on the story via Twitter:
Eagles are attempting to eject @Jeff_McLane from the press box because he objected to being yelled at by an Eagles media relations staffer
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
Other reporters are being told they will be ejected as well if they interfere with Jeff being ejected from the press box
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
During confusion over a penalty a while ago, we were all trying to figure out the call. An Eagles staffer yelled for us to be quiet. (1)
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
(2) Many of us took exception, Jeff most vocally. He then went to the staffer and calmly discussed why the admonishment was inappropriate.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
(3) A while, later, security guard comes and tells Jeff he is being ejected "for violating the fan code of conduct."
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
Eagles Sr VP Anne Gordon made it clear to everyone objecting that she would be happy to eject us all, and that fallout did not concern her.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
Daily News columnist Marcus Hayes took this picture from his seat of the incident, with Eagles Senior Vice President Anne Gordon in the foreground.
Eagles beat writer @Jeff_McLane being ejected from the press box for discussing press box etiquette w pr staff. pic.twitter.com/5IUdTdFEof
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) January 1, 2017
McLane's ejection sparked a lot of tweets from peers such as Zach Berman and Brandon Lee Gowton, who voiced their support for the writer. McLane has been on the Eagles' beat for the past eight seasons.
