Report: Michael Crabtree tried to fight Richard Sherman at charity event

Sunday's NFC Championship game has ignited a public battle between Richard Sherman and Michael Crabtree. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree attempted to start a fight with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman at a charity event last summer, reports Jerry Brewer of TheSeattle Times.

The incident took place at an event hosted by Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald in August and attended by both players.

Sherman has been upset with Crabtree since last summer. Both attended Arizona star receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s charity event. While there, Sherman went to shake Crabtree’s hand, and Crabtree tried to start a fight, according to Sherman’s older brother, Branton.

“I’m going to make a play and embarrass him,” Richard Sherman vowed that day.

MMQB: Richard Sherman explains the Crabtree incident and postgame interview

Sherman turned heads with a passionate post-game interview last night in which he called out Crabtree shortly after making a game-saving deflection on a pass intended for the 49ers receiver.