An NFL investigation into the war of words between Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabree has revealed that the players did not utter a word to each other until the NFC championship game was over.

The pair competed for the ball during the final play of Sunday's game, with Sherman tipping Colin Kaepernick's pass into the hands of teammate Malcolm Smith, who was able to complete an interception.

However, with both players wired up to microphones, NFL.com has announced that the opponents did not speak until the game had finished.

As the Seahawks celebrated their win in the endzone, Sherman cut short his celebrations to offer his hand to Crabtree. "Hell of a game," the 25-year-old is heard saying, but the 49ers man pushes him away without talking.

Following the altercation, Sherman was immediately confronted by reporters and television cameras, to whom he criticised his opposite number.

He has since admitted that he could have responded better to the incident which saw his team reach February's Super Bowl.