A lavish dinner in the D.C. area featuring top-shelf cognac and high-end entrees left several Washington Commanders rookies shell-shocked—and their wallets significantly lighter. After a sumptuous evening where Louis XIII Cognac and gourmet dishes flowed freely, one rookie’s reaction summed up the frustration of being saddled with the nearly $10,000 tab.
Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, clearly displeased with the financial hit, let his feelings be known. As teammate Phidarian Mathis recorded on his Instagram story, Newton bluntly exclaimed, “F*** y’all!” In the video, Mathis and some of the veteran players on the Commanders’ defensive line could be seen enjoying themselves, chuckling at the time-honored NFL tradition of sticking the rookies with an extravagant team dinner bill.
Fortunately for Newton, it appears he didn’t have to foot the entire bill alone. Two other first-year defensive linemen, Norell Pollard and Javontae Jean-Baptiste, shared the burden, splitting the check into three parts.
Still, with each rookie likely paying over $3,000, it was a steep price for a single night out.
As the veterans raised glasses of top-shelf cognac, Washington’s star defensive tackle Daron Payne offered a mocking but appreciative toast, thanking the rookies for their generosity. Newton could only smile wryly, staring off as the evening’s lavish spending became all too real.
Before taxes and fees, the bill reportedly topped $7,200. With tips, taxes, and other charges, the final total approached $10,000. A glance at the receipt reveals that no expense was spared—someone even ordered both the rockfish and the lamb chops. The exact restaurant wasn’t identified, but it clearly delivered a profitable night’s service.
Phidarian Mathis attempted to soften the blow, telling Newton, “It’s going to be alright, little brother. It’s just part of the rookie addendum.” The remark did little to calm Newton’s frustration, but the rookie ultimately took it in stride. After all, expensive rookie dinners are part of a long-standing NFL tradition where newcomers often foot the bill as a rite of passage.
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With the Commanders enjoying a strong 9-5 season and eyeing a playoff run, the sting of the costly dinner might fade quickly. Postseason bonuses could more than compensate for this one lavish tab, and as Newton and his rookie cohorts gain experience—and bigger paychecks—they may laugh about this episode in hindsight.
Until then, this serves as another reminder of the unique (and sometimes pricey) hazing rituals that come with being a first-year player in the NFL.
Fortunately for the Commanders’ rookies, team success and future earnings might soon transform this painful memory into a funny anecdote about their early days in the league.
