SANTA CLARA, California. A few moments later San Francisco's victory with a score of 20-9 over Caroline on Monday night, 49ers wide receiver. Jauan Jennings hit the Panther's security Trevon Moehrig with a quick right cross with an open palm across the facemask.
The two players were quickly separated and the Panther midfielder Cross Barnes and 49ers Senior Director of Player Engagement Austin Moss II intervened.
At the end of the game, television cameras showed Moehrig striking Jennings in the groin. Jennings did not immediately retaliate and was seen pleading with officials to throw the flag at Mehrig.
“I was just reacting to some childish behavior,” Jennings said of his actions after the game.
San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan called Moehrig's decision a “cheap decision.”
“I was really proud of Hauan for not losing his mind and going to the sideline,” Shanahan said.
Jennings said he didn't expect Moehrig's shot during the game, but admitted it was likely due to his tendency to play before the whistle and sometimes past it.
“It just came out of nowhere,” Jennings said. “I think it’s probably the same as what I was saying, just the story of my ball game. I play hard. I'm physically stronger than a lot of DBs and there's a lot of stuff going on between whistles. At least with me.”
As Jennings suspected, Moehrig and the Panthers objected to Jennings' physical blocking style. Jennings was ruled out of last season's final against Arizona Cardinals after picking up a couple of unnecessary roughness penalties.
Moehrig said Jennings pushed him in the back and “talked crazy to him” during the game.
“He was just doing something extra after the play,” Moehrig said. “I'll take it. It wasn't just disappointment. It was isolated.”
Asked if his response was justified, Moehrig said, “It is what it is.”
Panthers fullback Mike Jackson added: “I have nothing good to say about [No.] 15″.
Carolina coach Dave Canales said he needed to review the film and talk to Moehrig about what happened.
“I’ll get to the bottom of it,” Canales said. “I want to see exactly what happened. I haven't had a chance to talk to Tre about this yet. This will be a conversation.”
Moehrig admitted he would “most likely” be fined for hitting Jennings during the game.
Both players could also face suspension. Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was suspended for one game at the start of the season for hitting Kansas City Chiefs recipient JuJu Smith-Schuster after the game. Branch appealed, but his suspension was upheld by league officer Jordy Nelson.
John Runyan, the NFL's vice president of football operations, wrote in a letter to Branch that his “aggressive, non-football act was completely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players.”
ESPN's David Newton contributed to this report.
