49ers Lost to the Browns Thanks Largely to Questionable Penalty That Had NFL Fans Fuming

The 49ers lost their first game of the season Sunday to the Browns after rookie kicker Jake Moody missed a last-second field goal attempt.

However, fans were more upset about a penalty that was called on the 49ers a few minutes before the field goal attempt. With just under three minutes left in the game, 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. was flagged for unnecessary roughness after tackling Browns receiver Elijah Moore on third down. Most fans believed this was a clean play, though.

Because of the penalty called on Gipson, the Browns earned a new set of downs. Two plays later, cornerback 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward was flagged for defensive holding, giving the Browns another automatic first down. Cleveland went and scored a field goal on this drive, which put the team in the lead at 19–17.

Then there was the missed kick. 

NFL fans were still hung up on the penalty drawn on Gipson, though, and partially blamed this for the 49ers’ first loss of the season. Take a look at some of the social media reaction.

This feels like a clean hit. #49ers get hit with a penalty, and the Browns get a fresh set of downs. pic.twitter.com/0jVLOwIRe8

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 15, 2023

That was a game-altering penalty that the officials called against Tashaun Gipson Sr.

Cleveland would've faced 4th-and-10 against this 49ers defense. Instead, their offense began rolling

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 15, 2023

That was not a penalty. Terrible call in #49ers game. Browns get a new set of downs.

— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) October 15, 2023

Horrific penalty call on third down in the @49ers game that gives the Browns another life. Absolutely crap. @NFL needs to allow for reviewable. Changed the game.

— Adam Housley (@adamhousley) October 15, 2023

Can't believe they called a flag on what is a textbook shoulder tackle. Leading with shoulder, not hitting the head. What...he's just supposed to let him catch the ball? Play two hand touch? Just awful. #FTTB #SFvsCLE https://t.co/319cYMNWfw

— Mark the Sharkman (@sharkman_mark) October 15, 2023

Doesn't matter, you've gotta keep playing, but looks like that penalty shook up the 49ers.

— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) October 15, 2023

This was called a penalty against Tashaun Gipson and the 49ers.

Another day, another way higher ups in football are ruining the sport.

pic.twitter.com/mK9SoDMUtx

— Big Fella Podcast (@BigFellaPod) October 15, 2023

These penalties are killers the 49ers right now

— ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ♏️ (@prmade313raised) October 15, 2023

That’s not a flag man…..49ers DB with a clean shoulder to shoulder hit in the pass….you cannot call a penalty there ????????‍♂️!

— Ben Sigwart (@sig_50) October 15, 2023