Fights are nothing new at NFL training camps, but they never fail to draw attention, especially when star players are involved. That was the case Friday for the San Francisco 49ers, as running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Dre Greenlaw reportedly had a heated interaction during the team’s first padded practice.
David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard reported that “Greenlaw shoved McCaffrey to the ground after a catch,” which the running back understandably did not like. Lombardi added that “CMC got up and shoved Greenlaw, who then restrained himself and backed off.”
For the 49ers, it’s great to see that the two stars are taking things seriously at training camp, to the point where they almost fought each other.
McCaffrey later addressed the skirmish, assuring 49ers fans that nothing personal fueled the aggression in practice.
“Real quick, Dre is my favorite football player in the NFL,” McCaffrey told KNBR’s Greg Silver and John Dickinson. “He has been for a long time, and it’s because of stuff like that. Camp is so fun man … We get to play a little kids game for a living. The same way you fight with your brothers as kids … Sometimes you get into scuffles with your teammates.”
As for Greenlaw, this is probably the type of intensity he is just looking for in his return to San Francisco. After a one-year stint with the Denver Broncos, the veteran linebacker decided to take his talents back to the Bay Area, signing a 1-year $6 million contract with the team that selected him in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
