© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Two weeks ago, during San Francisco’s 43-16 loss at Seattle, Fred Warner lost his shoe. Then Russell Wilson threw it behind the line of scrimmage, forcing Warner to scramble after it. He was subsequently flagged for offsides. Kyle Shanahan went off on the referee, which drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
The 49ers head coach was upset because the referee did not stop the play clock or prevent the Seahawks from snapping the ball. Shanahan said he was not given an explanation as to why the play was not stopped. That, combined with the frustrations of a 24-point deficit at the time, and Shanahan reached his boiling point.
Kyle Shanahan with an eff you to the official. pic.twitter.com/Gn9jzq7zF0
— Melissa Jacobs (@thefootballgirl) December 2, 2018
Two weeks later, Shanahan still isn’t clear on the situation.
“They told us there was nothing the player could do,” Shanahan said Wednesday. “So, that’s what I told Fred. Next time, just make it more obvious. We’re going to get the penalty anyways, so hopefully, sit down and make it as obvious as you can. Hopefully then common sense will prevail.”
The NFL slapped Shanahan with a $25,000 fine, and he plans to appeal it. He said he is not sure whether a hearing will be set.
And while there is not an explicit rule for a situation so bizarre, Shanahan expects for the officials to handle it better next time.
“What I would like?” Shanahan said. “For common sense to prevail and allow the guy to get his shoe that was thrown, and stop it.”