The 49ers head coach and wideout had a notable sideline argument earlier this year.
It’s ancient history now, but the San Francisco 49ers have had a few sideline moments over the years.
This year, the major one was when wide receiver Jauan Jennings and head coach Kyle Shanahan were caught on camera in a heated argument on the sidelines during San Francisco’s Week 6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
At the time, Jennings had been battling injuries, even publicly revealing that he was playing through broken ribs, and had missed the prior week. He had just one catch in the Tampa Bay game for seven yards on three attempts and seemed to be frustrated at his lack of usage.
Well, on Friday, head coach Kyle Shanahan clarified what happened during the argument and how the wideout has bounced back to have a fairly productive season for San Francisco.
“That’s just what people who are close do,” Shanahan said about the moment. “He was competitive. He was frustrated he didn’t get the ball, and I was frustrated that he was frustrated. We’ve been with each other long enough to know that it’ll work out, let’s quit making a big deal about it.
“We got into a little heated argument on the sidelines, got a lot better at halftime, and then we really made up the next day. We haven’t had any arguments since. I actually think that was a good argument, where sometimes you’ve got to blow things up a little bit for things to get better. I think that was a really good interaction that has only led to positives ever since then.”
A part of the issue had been the buildup of Jennings’s injuries and trying to return from them without practice time. But Shanahan lauded Jennings for staying the course and seeing the results come afterwards.
“[Dealing with the injuries] was tough,” Shanahan said about Jennings. “It was a battle for him. I watched him grind through a number of practices just trying to see if he could go. I know he had to miss a few games just where he couldn’t make it, and then every time he would go it kind of happened again. So, I think Wednesdays and Thursdays were really rough. He’d always find a way to get out there Friday.
“When you miss time like that because you can’t go and still be able to get himself for the game, to where he’s not making mistakes and everything, and just being patient. You always want those numbers, too. You want the ball. And it can’t always go that way. Jauan never got too frustrated, always kept his focus, and I think he made it through all that, and it’s really come full circle here towards the end of the year.”
This season, Jennings has 51 catches for 608 yards and nine touchdowns, which is tied for seventh in the NFL. He’s scored a touchdown in seven of his last eight games, being a key piece for Brock Purdy and the passing game.
His passion for the game has always been respected, and the 49ers will need that on Saturday Night when they face the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 1 seed on the line.
Category: General Sports
