CLEVELAND — As far as we’re concerned, no fireworks show was planned at Cleveland Browns Stadium today. That didn’t stop the Browns and 49ers from shooting some into the air on their own, though.
Prior to their Week 6 matchup Sunday, players from both teams were involved in a scuffle along the sidelines. Video shows some chatter between the two squads before San Francisco’s Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel shove Cleveland safety Juan Thornhill. After a couple of Browns players pushed back, Niners left tackle Trent Williams came in and shoved Elijah Moore, causing the receiver’s helmet to fly off before coaches and officials separated the two squads.
“This is the worst thing that can happen for Cleveland. Don’t poke the bear!”
The crew reacts to things getting chippy ahead of 49ers-Browns on FOX ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/p8cza7Wf8x
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 15, 2023
The fracas was the opening salvo in what could be an interesting day, with the shorthanded Browns heavy underdogs against the unbeaten 49ers. However, with Fox broadcasting the game, studio analyst Jimmy Johnson took Cleveland to task for the incident.
“This is the worst thing that can happen for Cleveland,” the two-time Super Bowl winning coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer said. “Don’t poke the bear!”
Perhaps Johnson was right, as on the opening drive after kickoff, San Fran took the ball right down the field and scored to take an early 7-0 lead.