October 17, 2011

Coaches Clash After 49ers Hand Lions First Loss

By - Kris Fletcher

With just under two minutes remaining in yesterday's contest, quarterback Alex Smith hit Delanie Walker on fourth down from six yards out for what would be the winning score, as the San Francisco 49ers (5-1) held on to defeat the previously unbeaten Detroit Lions (5-1) by a final of 25-19.

The real drama didn't unfolded though until after the game, when Jim Harbaugh's exuberant celebration and black-slap of Jim Schwartz nearly set off a brawl between the two coaches.

Photo by: Getty Images
Harbaugh appeared to say something during the exchange that rubbed Schwartz the wrong way, and the losing coach charged after him as both teams were leaving the field.

Players and coaches from both sides quickly jumped in and separated the two.

"Ironically, I was playing peacemaker," Detroit defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said. "Obviously this is an emotional sport."

Afterwards, Harbaugh took the blame in one breath, and a semi-shot in the next. "That was totally on me," he said. "I guess I shook his hand too hard."

Of course, Schwartz had a completely different take on the matter. "I went to congratulate coach Harbaugh and got shoved out of the way," he said. "I didn't expect an obscenity at that point. Obviously, when you win a game like that, you are excited, but there is a protocol that goes with this league."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the incident will be reviewed.

7 comments:

  1. Schwartz completely overreacted. Harbaugh didn't mean anything by it. The man was just pumped up about his team winning a big game. Schwartz needs to get over it.

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  2. "I didn’t expect an obscenity at that point."

    This coming from a coach who yelled, "no catch, mother f&**#r" to Dez Bryant during the Lions/Cowboys game.

    I don't think Harbaugh handled winning like a coach should, but Schwartz didn't handle losing like a coach should either.

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  3. Schwartz is a moron. Nothing but a sore loser. Harbaugh didn't mean anything by it. Glad the Lions finally got beat. Nowhere near as good as their record would indicate.

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  4. I actually disagree. Harbaugh isn't in college anymore, nor is he a player, so he shouldn't be out thee jumping around and acting like a fool just because his team won. Schwartz had every right to get mad.

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  5. They were both in the wrong, but I think Schwartz crosed the line more than Harbaugh did.

    Basically, I agree with Todd's comment. Lol

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  6. Todd's correct. Its okay for Schwartz to direct obscenities at players, but he can't hear one at all? What an idiot.

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  7. You guys should all remember that the Lions were undefeated, so Schwartz hadn't tasted that in quite a while, and Harbaugh is coming right out of coaching CFB.

    This is what happens when two incredibly emotional coaches are forced to shake hands after a close game. And two coaches that come from incredibly different backgrounds.

    Just the way that game ended could be the beginning of an off-the-map rivalry, at least when those two coaches are still with their respective teams.

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