“Apologies always seem to me like excuses”

“ Apologies always seem to me like excuses.”  That was an exact quote from Coach Jim Harbough of the San Francisco 49ers after its epic win and controversial head coach showdown.  Some may have seen this fantastic performance of the two teams, the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers, or some may only know of the little “scuffle” that followed the 49ers victory over the undefeated Lions.  The game itself was exciting, gut wrenching, and invigorating, but that was all topped by the episode that followed between the two teams’ head coaches.  After watching endless replays from news stations across the nation, there isn’t a defined instigation of what exactly happened between the coaches.  Lions fans saw what they wanted to see and 49er fans saw an innocent handshake.  For those of us in-between, it really doesn't matter.  The only piece that is apparent involves the erroneous brawl that occurred post-game.  It ultimately took away from the entire game. We will still remember that the 49ers beat the long awaited undefeated Lions, but this game will in the end be remembered for the unprecedented argument and consequential clash that occurred between the coaches. 

The remarkable part of the whole event is the response each coach made to the media.  Neither coach confirmed or denied what happened or even apologized.  As Harbough said, “apologies always seem to me like excuses.”  To me and probably the majority of an unbiased population this seems like a foolish matter that should be settled.  An apology from both coaches would suffice, if not to each other, but at least to football fans who only care about the game, not the inside clashes.  To top it off, the NFL has decided not the give each coach a fine for what may or may not have happened. 

It’s understandable that this is all a part of football, but when politics become involved it overshadows the real purpose, the actual game.