Jalen Ramsey and Doug Marrone's exchange of words due to lack of a challenge flag early in game, Marrone confirms

Jalen Ramsey and his head coach got into it on the sidelines during Sunday's 13-12 loss.

When Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone and star cornerback Jalen Ramsey got into a heated exchange early in the first quarter during Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Houston Texans, it automatically became the talking point for the struggling 0-2 team. 

Jalen Ramsey and HC Doug Marrone exchanging words. Had to be split up.pic.twitter.com/fpCVDV6mx9

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 15, 2019

Marrone said after the game that he "can't recall" what led to the disagreement between him and Ramsey, and Ramsey declined to speak with media following the loss. 

Most immediately assumed that Ramsey was upset his coach did not throw a challenge flag on a DeAndre Hopkins third down catch. On Monday, Marrone confirmed this was the case. 

"You guys saw what happened. He felt that the ball was on the ground and wanted to throw the challenge flag. We have a process of what we do with the challenge flag and he was upset about it. That’s exactly what happened," he said on Monday. 

"I wanted him to move on from it. Right? I mean, that was over plays ago. Move on from it. Let’s go. We’ve got a long way to go in this game. Get that behind you.”

Marrone said players and coaches getting into it on the sidelines is not uncommon due to the high intensity atmosphere of the profession, but he thinks it gets more attention now than it may have in previous eras.

"Those things, they happen all the time. They really do. I think now they’re a little bit more publicized but ever since I played there’s always stuff that goes on during the course of the game," he said. 

Marrone said he hadn't spoken to Ramsey personally about the incident since the game, but he did confirm that the fourth-year corner would not be facing discipline from the team. 

“I didn’t talk to really any player, outside of just maybe hello or passing them by. I’ve been in meetings all day," he said.

While some will undoubtedly question Marrone's decision to not discipline Ramsey for Sunday's blowup, the head coach did say he wants the team to work on controlling its emotions while keeping their intensity on the field, even if it is an emotional profession. 

"Every little thing is tough. The anxiety level is extremely high. Higher than any other time in anything you do in your life when you’re out there and performing, okay. So those things happen and again, you’ve just got to sit down, you’ve got to work with it, you’ve got to work with the players, and you’ve got to get every to take a deep breath and let’s move forward.”