The NFL's Original Bounty Scandal

Published on August 1st, 2025 6:22 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


Thanksgiving Day. 1989. Eagles vs. Cowboys.

The rivalry was already heated.

Then came the allegations.

Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson accused the Eagles of placing bounties.

$200 to knock out Troy Aikman. $500 for kicker Luis Zendejas.

The game turned violent.

Hits were late. Players were fired up. Coaches traded barbs postgame.

Philadelphia won 27-0. But the headlines weren't about the score.

They were about intent.

Buddy Ryan, Eagles head coach, denied everything. Said it was "just football."

But tapes showed targeting. The chaos was real.

One week later, the rematch in Philly was dubbed Bounty Bowl II.

Snowballs rained down on players, coaches, even broadcasters.

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue called it a "disgrace."

Security protocols were overhauled. Team conduct rules were reviewed.

But the damage was done.

The Bounty Bowl exposed a darker side of NFL culture.

The idea that hurting opponents could be incentivized.

Years later, the NFL would face "Bountygate" with the Saints.

But it started here.

Thanksgiving 1989 wasn't just a rivalry game.

It was the moment the league began questioning how far was too far.

Player safety rules got tighter. Fines increased. Hits were redefined.

It didn't happen overnight.

But it started with one cold, chaotic day in Dallas.