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The NFC Championship Game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams was a close and tense fight. However, early in the game, some controversy arose between Fred Warner and Matthew Stafford.
As 49ers safety Jimmie Ward was returning a picked Matthew Stafford pass, Warner seemed to intentionally bump his helmet onto the Rams QB. Despite the helmet-to-helmet hit, no flag was called.
After the game, Warner's postgame interview started with an apology to Stafford. The 49ers linebacker had this to say: (via Eric Branch)
“I feel bad about it … I wanted to apologize for that.”
Fred Warner opens presser by addressing hit on Matthew Stafford: "I feel bad about it … I wanted to apologize for that." #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) January 31, 2022
Aside from being unnecessary, the 49ers linebacker's hit was dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Concussions and sub-concussive blows have historically been a major issue in the NFL. Penalties for helmet-to-helmet hits, regardless of intent, were put into place specifically to protect players from major head trauma.
At the very least, it's nice to see that Warner acknowledges that he made a mistake with what he did. Dangerous plays like that have no place in the NFL, or in any other professional sport for that matter. What's important is that the 49ers linebacker learns his lesson and doesn't end up doing this again in the future.
As for the 49ers, they lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Rams to bow out of the playoffs. Crucial mistakes on both sides of the ball cost them a shot at the Super Bowl. The franchise now enters a pivotal off-season filled with important decisions, especially regarding their quarterback position.
