The San Francisco 49ers’ 32-29 win over the Seattle Seahawks was followed by drama off the field, this time involving two members of the team’s media circle.
Sports Illustrated 49ers blogger Grant Cohn publicly called out fellow reporter David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard, accusing him of getting too close to the players he covers.
In a roughly two-minute YouTube video posted after the game, Cohn questioned Lombardi’s approach to beat reporting, arguing that journalists should maintain professional boundaries with players.
Grant Cohn Accuses David Lombardi of Crossing Journalistic Boundaries
During his postgame livestream, Cohn criticized Lombardi for allegedly spending time with players in the locker room instead of asking questions during press conferences with head coach Kyle Shanahan and other key figures.
“It’s bad enough that he’s a fan of the team that he covers, but he thinks he’s on the team,” Cohn said.
He then questioned why Lombardi was seemingly absent from the postgame press conferences, where reporters can ask players and coaches about their performances.
“You know who never asks a question? David Lombardi. You know why? Because he’s in the locker room… hugging the players and congratulating them as if they won together,” Cohn added.
IMPROVE YOUR TEAM:PFN’s Free Fantasy Trade Calculator
Cohn argued that journalists need to maintain a certain level of distance from the people they cover. He believes becoming too friendly with players can blur the distinction between reporting on a team and supporting it.
“Who the [expletive] are you? Why are you touching me? It’s not your job to bro out with the players. There’s supposed to be a professional distance,” Cohn said.
He continued his criticism with another pointed remark about Lombardi’s work. “This guy pretends to be a journalist and takes shilling to the next level,” Cohn added.
This isn’t the first time Lombardi has been in a public disagreement with another media personality. He previously had a high-profile exchange with ESPN analyst Mina Kimes on X, which Cohn also mocked.
PREDICT THE NFL SEASON:PFN’s Free NFL Playoff Predictor
Grant Cohn Responds to SFGATE Report With Social Media Post
The controversy gained further steam after SFGATE reported that it had contacted both parties for comment on Cohn’s accusations.
According to the outlet, The San Francisco Standard Editor-in-Chief Kevin Delaney declined to comment on Lombardi’s behalf. Cohn also did not respond to SFGATE’s initial request for an interview.
The situation took another turn when Cohn responded to the outlet’s published report on social media.
“No one contacted me,”Cohn wrote, disputing the suggestion that the outlet had reached out.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.