Chargers' Gates, Rivers dismiss sideline spat

During Sunday's the blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, it got heated between San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates.

The two were seen on the sideline, engaged in what appeared to be a furious discussion, with Gates clearly upset at Rivers.

Gates, however, said the spat is a normal occurrence on the sideline, especially when you're losing.

"Obviously things have been said that cameras didn’t catch before," Gates said to Eric D. Williams of ESPN. "But for the most part, it’s all love. That’s my brother. It’s a guy I’ve been with in so many battles. He knows the love that I have for him, and I know the love that he has for me.

"So it was just a situation where it was the heat of the moment. He wants to make a play. He wants to win. I want to win. We’re not winning. And the frustration, with countless hours of practice and studying that’s put into this, sometimes it boils over to the game."

Gates said the argument was caused by miscommunication on the field between the two.

"We communicated on something, and he seen it one way and I saw it the other way," he said.

Rivers echoed his teammate's message, downplaying the incident.

"What was said really doesn't matter. Brothers fuss and fight, for any of you that have brothers. I love Antonio, and I think he will tell you the same thing," he said.

With the defeat, the Chargers fell to 2-8 on the season.