Jauan Jennings, Tre’Von Moehrig Face Discipline for Late-Game Scuffle – What Football Teaches About Safer DIY Projects
When NBC Sports reports on a late-game scuffle between Jauan Jennings and Tre’Von Moehrig, most people see drama and possible league discipline. At Handy Luup, we see something else hidden in that 15-second flare-up: how fast things go wrong when emotions spike, focus slips, and no one backs off in time.
Football is full of lessons for DIYers. A game can be “largely blah,” as NBC Sports put it, and then suddenly everything erupts. Home projects are the same way—you’re cruising along, then one rushed cut, one unsecured ladder, or one “ah, I don’t need goggles for this” moment turns into a trip to urgent care.
Inspired by this real-time NFL story, here’s how to bring a pro-level game plan to your DIY work so your weekend projects don’t end in penalties, injuries, or expensive do-overs.
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1. Treat Safety Gear Like a Helmet and Pads
In the NFL, nobody jogs onto the field without a helmet expecting to “just be careful.” After the Jennings–Moehrig dustup, player safety and league rules are front and center again. DIY projects deserve the same seriousness—even if it’s “just” drilling a shelf.
**DIY Game Plan:**
1. **Suit up before the first snap:**
- Safety glasses for anything that cuts, drills, sands, or hammers
- Hearing protection for power tools (saws, sanders, nailers)
- Dust mask or respirator when sanding, cutting MDF, or using chemicals
- Work gloves for rough lumber, metal, or demo work
2. **Keep gear at arm’s reach:**
Make a “safety station” bucket or caddy in your workspace, just like a sideline gear station: glasses, ear plugs, masks, gloves, and a small first aid kit.
3. **No gear, no play:**
If you catch yourself “just doing one quick cut,” stop. Put glasses and protection on first, even for a “one and done” cut or hole.
4. **Protect bystanders like teammates:**
If kids, pets, or roommates are around, treat them like un-helmeted players. No power tools or chemicals while they’re in the room or nearby.
5. **Check your “field” before starting:**
- Clear cords and scrap off the floor
- Make sure you have good lighting
- Use stable surfaces, not wobbly stools or stacked boxes
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2. Control the “Heat of the Moment” Before Mistakes Happen
That late-game scuffle was a classic example of a heated moment after a “blah” game. DIY has the same danger zone: when something goes wrong, frustration hits, and you try to muscle your way through instead of resetting.
**DIY Game Plan:**
1. **Install a personal “cool-down rule”:**
If you:
- Mis-measure twice
- Strip two screws in a row
- Or feel your jaw clench / voice raise
…take a 5–10 minute break, no exceptions.
2. **Never force a tool like a tackle:**
- If a saw blade binds, stop and re-check alignment
- If a drill bit smokes, you’re pressing too hard or it’s dull
- If a screw won’t bite, pre-drill or change to a better anchor
3. **Plan your “timeout spots”:**
Have a safe resting place for tools when you’re annoyed—bench, stand, or hook—so you’re not tossing or dropping them in anger.
4. **Do the dangerous cuts first, not last:**
Tackle precise or risky cuts early in the project when you’re fresh and patient, not when you’re tired and “just want to be done.”
5. **End on a clean play, not a scramble:**
Give yourself a stopping point: “After this board is cut, I’ll stop for today,” instead of pushing into late-night, tired mistakes.
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3. Build a Playbook, Not a Guessing Game
NFL teams don’t improvise the entire fourth quarter. They have a playbook and a game plan. The Jennings–Moehrig situation is now going under league review—because there are written rules and processes. Your DIY projects should be run by more than “I’ll figure it out as I go.”
**DIY Game Plan:**
1. **Write out a simple project “play sheet”:**
On paper or your phone, list:
- Materials you need
- Tools you’ll use
- The exact steps in order
Even a 6–8 step list keeps you from chaotic “what now?” moments.
2. **Use real instructions like a coach’s call sheet:**
- Manufacturer install guides
- Reputable YouTube channels
- Brand websites (for paint, anchors, flooring, etc.)
Don’t rely entirely on a 30-second social media clip.
3. **Walk the space before you “snap the ball”:**
For a wall shelf, light fixture, or closet project:
- Locate studs
- Find electric lines (use a stud finder with AC alert)
- Check plumbing areas before drilling
4. **Pre-cut, pre-label, pre-stage:**
For builds (like a small bench or wall organizer):
- Cut all pieces first
- Label them in pencil (A, B, C…)
- Stage them in order of assembly
This keeps drill time smoother and safer.
5. **Have a “review tape” mindset:**
After each project, jot down:
- One thing that went well
- One mistake you don’t want to repeat
- One tool or trick that helped
That’s how you build your own DIY “playbook” over time.
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4. Protect Your “Field” Like an NFL Sideline
After high-profile incidents, the NFL often revisits sideline rules, staff positions, and camera placement. Your workshop or living room project area needs the same attention to boundaries and safe zones.
**DIY Game Plan:**
1. **Mark a no-go zone for others:**
Use painter’s tape on the floor around your main work area. Tell family: “When I’m using tools, nobody crosses this line.”
2. **Create a sideline for tools:**
Designate one spot—a bench or rolling cart—where all tools live when not in your hands. This:
- Keeps floors clear
- Makes it easy to see if anything is missing
- Reduces trip hazards
3. **Run cords like yard lines, not spaghetti:**
- Use a single heavy-duty extension cord (rated for outdoor/tools)
- Run it along walls, not across walk paths
- Tape it down if it must cross a walkway
4. **Contain dust and debris:**
- Keep a shop vacuum or broom nearby
- Clean up between phases (after cutting, after sanding, after demo)
- Don’t leave nails, screws, or offcuts on the floor “for later”
5. **Light your field properly:**
If NFL stadiums can light every inch of turf, you can over-light your project:
- Clamp lights or LED work lights
- Point them at your cut line or workspace
- Avoid shadows where your fingers and the blade meet
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5. Use the Right “Position Player” for Each Task
Just like you wouldn’t put a punter on the defensive line, you shouldn’t use a butter knife as a screwdriver or a wood screw as a drywall anchor. Many DIY injuries and fails come from using the wrong “player” for the job.
**DIY Game Plan:**
1. **Match tool to task, not just “whatever’s around”:**
- Use a stud finder instead of “knocking and guessing”
- Use proper drywall anchors instead of oversize screws
- Use a level instead of eyeballing picture frames or shelves
2. **Know your basic positions (tools):**
- **Quarterback (drill/driver):** Drives screws, drills pilot holes, mixes small batches of compound
- **Offensive line (clamps):** Hold everything in place so you’re not using your free hand near blades
- **Wide receiver (tape measure & level):** Precision and alignment so everything “catches” where it should
- **Safety (PPE + stud finder):** Prevents catastrophic mistakes (hitting wire, getting debris in eyes)
3. **Avoid “playing out of position”:**
- Don’t use pliers as a wrench (you’ll slip and round off hardware)
- Don’t use a wood bit on metal
- Don’t use a kitchen chair as a ladder
4. **Practice with “drills” before the real game:**
- Test cuts on scrap before cutting your real board
- Test anchors in a hidden spot of drywall before the visible wall
- Try a new tool on something you don’t care about first
5. **Sub out dull or broken tools immediately:**
Just like an injured player leaves the field:
- Replace chipped drill bits
- Toss bent nails and stripped screws
- Sharpen or replace dull blades
Dull tools slip, bind, and cause injuries.
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Conclusion
The NFL’s review of the Jauan Jennings and Tre’Von Moehrig scuffle is another reminder that most problems don’t come out of nowhere—they come from a string of small choices under pressure. DIY is no different.
Bring a pro attitude to your projects: gear up like a player, cool down when you’re frustrated, follow a simple playbook, protect your “field,” and assign the right “position players” (tools) to every task. Do that, and your weekend projects will stay in the highlight reel—not the injury report.
When you start your next project, pick just one of these steps—like making a safety station or writing a quick step list—and treat it like your new “team rule.” From there, you can keep adding plays to your DIY game plan, one solid project at a time.