This season, the NFL has seen more than its fair share of bad behavior. We’ve already had two “Spitgates”, and now, there's a punching incident taking the world by storm. Just like the previous ones, fans won’t see the victim's coach apologizing for his player’s reaction.
This time around it was San Francisco 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings and Carolina Panthers DB Tre’Von Moehrig in the mix. After the final whistle, Jennings walked up to Moehrig and shoved him in the facemask before getting increasingly heated as his teammates and coaches attempted to hold him back... Which they did semi-successfully.
However, as with previous incidents that resulted in such a reaction, there was more to the story. The broadcast showed clear video of Moehrig full-on punching Jennings in a rather sensitive area. And this wasn’t any kind of accidental tap or something—this was a full wind-up and wham right into Jennings’ family jewels.
Worse than spitting at someone? Probably. And 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan basically reacted the same way Mike Tomlin did after his player reacted strongly when he was spit on. Shanahan didn’t scold Jennings at all. In fact, he lauded the WR for “not losing his mind out there.”
“The guy took a cheap shot and hit him in the balls, and I was real proud of Jauan for not losing his mind out there and getting him to the sidelines.”
The NFL will review #Panthers S Tre’von Moehrig and #49ers WR Jauan Jennings after this incident on Monday night:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 25, 2025
Kyle Shanahan: "Yeah the guy took a cheap shot and hit him in the balls. I was real proud of Jauan for not losing his mind out there."
Pic.twitter.com/mgyMY3aqxk
If you see the way 49ers staffers were forced to tackle Jennings down in the aftermath, characterizing Jennings’ reaction as “not losing his mind” is pretty funny. Though to be fair, he did avoid any further incident.
After the game, much like with that Ja’Marr Chase-Jalen Rams ey fracas, Moehrig expressed no remorse and said “there really ain’t nothing much to it.” It wasn’t clear, but it seemed like Moehrig was saying it should be charged to the game as an accident. But looking at that wind-up again, it’s hard to take his side here.
Ok Jauan Jennings, I'd be pretty upset too pic.twitter.com/SQ9k1amsTz
— Corey (@MoneyLeagueFB) November 25, 2025
There must have been some jawing and back-and-forth between the generally-vocal Jennings and the Panthers' defensive backfield. CB Mike Jackson also seemed to think Jennings had one coming to him based on what happened in the game.
Jennings, though, got the last laugh in more ways than one. His team won the game handily, 20-9. He also had a great night, catching five passes for 41 yards and a TD during which he bounced off of three Panthers defenders, leaving them in an embarrassing heap behind him.
That frustration likely played a role in the nut-punching that occurred later on. While the Panthers players were still seething in the locker room, Jennings cracked a joke on his way out after the win, saying, “have a great night, don’t get hit in the nuts.”
In terms of punishment, it seems a foregone conclusion that Moehrig will be suspended at least one game. Like the Chase incident, the video evidence leaves no doubt or room for interpretation.
The question is whether Jennings will also be suspended. He did shove Moehrig in the face, but the “why” was pretty reasonable. The league doesn’t like to see retaliation like that, but they didn’t punish Jalen Ramsey for a similar reaction to a similarly cowardly move a couple of weeks ago.