49ers Take Undefeated Title From Lions; Coaches in After-Match Fight

The Detroit Lions’ undefeated record was upset by the San Francisco 49ers 25-19 victory on Sunday, which resulted in an off-field conflict between the opposing team coaches.

Jim Harbaug, 49ers coach, said something that Lions’ coach Jim Schwartz disagreed with when the two shook hands after the game. Harbaugh seemingly slapped the Lions’ coach’s hand and used profane language before continuing to celebrate with his team.

However, Schwartz followed the 49ers winning coach, which resulted in a verbal altercation before the two men were separated by the players of their teams.

In the press conference following the game, Schwartz said he did not expect Harbaug to approach him with vulgar language after losing an undefeated record.

"I went to congratulate coach Harbaugh and got shoved out of the way," Schwartz said. "I didn't expect an obscenity at that point so it was a surprise to me at the end of the game.”

However, Harbaugh told NFL networks that his only mistake was shaking Schwartz’ hand too hard in an exciting moment.

"I was really revved up,” Harbaugh told NFL Networks. “That wasn't me, just shook his hand too hard. That's on me. Handshake was too hard."

Although Schwartz accepted that Harbaugh was excited for his team’s victory, the losing coach maintained that rules of conduct should be followed.

"Obviously when you win a game like that you're excited and things like that, but I think there's a protocol that goes with this league," Schwartz said.

Harbaugh is a first year coach in the NFL. However, more people are starting to recognize the 49ers with him at the helm.

"Who are these 49ers and what have they done with the team I tried to ignore for the last decade," one person questioned on Twitter.

"The 49ers showed what a real defense is and gave them their first loss and showed them who the better team is," another user of the social media network tweeted.

Although many seemed to appreciate the game that took the Lions’ undefeated title and the entertaining exchange between the coaches after, others thought the situation could have been handled in a different manner.

"I still can't believe the end of the 49ers/lions game, no composure,” One spectator tweeted after the game. “(They’re) both 5-1 what's there to be mad about?"