One of the featured Week 2 NFL matchups this weekend takes place between the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions, which has already sparked much discussion about the heated exchange between head coaches Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz that took place in the moments following the 49ers’ win last season.
Both coaches have already dismissed any notion of a lingering grudge, but last year’s incident is sure to be a major point of interest when the teams play on Sunday night.
Hardly an objective third party, Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked Tuesday if he thought there would be any more drama between his brother and the Lions head coach. Harbaugh is a well-known history enthusiast, so his reference was far more interesting than what you’d hear from the typical head coach.
“I don’t think there’s been so much attention paid to a handshake since Grant and Lee shook hands at Appomattox,” said Harbaugh during his Tuesday press conference, drawing laughter from everyone in the room. “You like that? It took a little time to think about that today. I thought it was appropriate.”
After the Ravens coach made reference to the conclusion of the Civil War, he then went on to ask reporters if they had any other suggestions of controversial handshakes over the years. One reporter referenced former Jets and Browns coach Eric Mangini’s conflict with Patriots czar Bill Belichick, but the room remained relatively quiet.
As for the example that came to my mind, I couldn’t help but think about the handshake between The Rock and John Cena leading up to WWE’s Wrestlemania XXVIII, but I decided to keep that one to myself.
