The Deebo Samuel vs. Taybor Pepper 49ers fight is a no-brainer for Kyle Shanahan – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

Tensions reached their ultimate climax late in the fourth quarter of the 49ers’ thrilling 23-20 win on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.

After NFL second-year kicker Jake Moody missed his third field goal of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, star wide receiver Deebo Samuel was spotted getting into a heated scuffle with long snapper Taybor Pepper as he walked to the sideline and made a point put. His hands came to rest on Pepper’s neck before walking away.

Pepper and Samuel continued to exchange words on the sidelines while others separated the two.

Meanwhile, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was so busy making plans for the final three minutes of the game that he didn’t know about his players’ altercation until someone informed him later.

“I don’t have much of a clue because I didn’t see any of it,” Shanahan told reporters after the game. “I was told about it. But it’s probably obvious: the boys are frustrated and something has probably happened because of it.”

Kyle Shanahan says he didn’t see the on-field incident between Taybor Pepper and Deebo Samuel, but adds he’s “not too concerned.” pic.twitter.com/GvmBwlelZQ

– 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) November 10, 2024

Pepper, Moody and Samuel all spoke to the media afterward and expressed a similar reaction to the altercation, each downplaying it by simply saying it was a result of the emotions of the game.

“It’s an emotional game,” Moody said. “Things like this happen all the time. We’ll just get over it. We won, so that’s all that matters.”

Moody was asked if Samuel apologized for the incident, to which he responded that an apology was not necessary and agreed that he needs to achieve those field goals and that should be his sole focus moving forward.

The kicker also thanked Pepper for turning his back on him in the heat of the moment.

Jake Moody reflects on his tumultuous kicking day and Deebo Samuel’s frustration after his third miss pic.twitter.com/Yp1R5vU5hF

– 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) November 10, 2024

“He had my back,” Moody said. “He just made sure everyone stayed calm and collected and nothing got too crazy. Just a lot of emotions, but we were able to calm it down and just focus on the last thing.”

Meanwhile, Pepper explained his position and explained that he was trying to be there for Moody during the “difficult phase” he was going through.

“I always got 4s back,” Pepper said.

Pepper added that he hasn’t spoken to Samuel either, but admitted that the two will “talk at some point.”

Taybor Pepper explains that Deebo Samuel told Jake Moody to “lock up,” which led to a scuffle on the sideline after a missed kick pic.twitter.com/dFoI5SRbGp

– 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) November 10, 2024

As Shanahan said: brothers fight. For the 49ers, we hope time – and victory – will help the team move forward.

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