At the Tennessee Titans’ training camp, a confrontation broke out between first-round pick Cam Ward and defense star Jeffery Simmons.

The start of the season is approaching. Stress is mounting. Emotions are running high.

Like the rest of the NFL teams, the Tennessee Titans are in the final stages of preparation for the upcoming regular season.

Training camp is also exhausting. On a day with temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius, the heated atmosphere came to a head when first overall pick Cam Ward and Jeffery Simmons got into such a heated altercation that the training session was called off.

The rookie quarterback earned respect from his teammates in the process.

Tennessee Titans: Training camp altercation – Ward vs. Simmons

After a touchdown pass from Ward to wide receiver Calvin Ridley, he allegedly gave Simmons a slight shove. He then broke into his famous “Zombieland” celebration to further provoke the defensive tackle.

The experienced and respected head of the Titans defense didn’t take it lying down and pushed his QB away with both hands, hitting Ward’s face mask with both hands. The offensive line immediately intervened. A scuffle ensued. Simmons lost his helmet and was ejected from the field.

Ward was allowed to continue playing. But the mood remained tense. Head coach Brian Callahan decided two plays later to call off practice altogether. He simply sent the team out for a cool-down run.

Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. was clear to the media after practice. When asked if no one is allowed to touch their QB – not even a deserving teammate like Simmons – he replied: “No way. That goes without saying.”

Tennessee Titans: Training camp altercation – Ward vs. Simmons

It’s also worth noting that Simmons had been trash talking the offense all day. Right tackle JC Latham and Ward in particular were the targets of his words and provocations. Simmons is said to have teased Ward and brushed him with his hands from time to time beforehand.

Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr., on the other hand, remembers the incident and even gave Ward credit: “As a quarterback, you don’t want to get into something like that. But we know now that when something like that happens, he’s got it. He doesn’t take any crap.”

Brownlee continued: “They’re both very confident, edgy, and have the same attitude. They show that every day. That’s what you expect. And when something like that happens, you have to stop it quickly. Brothers fight sometimes.”

Neither Ward nor Simmons wanted to comment publicly afterwards.