Emotions were running high on the Eagles’ sideline during the second quarter of their NFC wild-card game against the 49ers on Sunday, as the Fox broadcast captured head coach Nick Sirianni and wide receiver A.J. Brown in a heated exchange.
Sirianni was seen running down the sideline toward Brown, appearing to tell him to get off the field, and then the Eagles coach got into the face of the receiver, in what seemed like a tense moment.
At one point, Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro, a.k.a. “Big Dom,” stepped in between the two men.
The video then cut to Brown yelling something in Sirianni’s direction as teammates attempted to calm him down.
Fox’s Erin Andrews did speak with Sirianni after halftime and he addressed the moment with her, telling the sideline reporter that “emotions, they run high, especially in the playoffs.”
“Of course, after this game, we’ll go back to loving each other,” Andrews reported Sirianni saying. “But look, this is just the way it is. We’re just fine, thanks.”
During the broadcast, Fox analyst and seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady said the two were just caught up in the heat of the moment, and Sirianni and Brown were going to be just fine.
“A little colorful with his star wideout. They have a great relationship,” Brady said. “Two great competitors in the heat of the moment. They know how much they care for one another. … And look, maybe that little bit of accountability sparks AJ to life as well.”
Brown was not explosive during the first three quarters of Sunday’s game.
Brown had just three catches for 25 yards midway through the third quarter, with his longest catch being a 10-yard reception that came in the first.
The Eagles are in the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season and are coming off a Super Bowl championship last season.
