49ers group and educate greatly surprised after linebacker refuses to play in opposition to Rams
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| San Francisco 49ers LB De'Vondre Campbell (No. 59) refused to play for the team when asked against the Los Angeles Rams. Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images |
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell of the 49ers declined to participate when
called upon during the team's narrow 12-6 defeat to the Rams on Thursday
night, a result that allowed Los Angeles to maintain its playoff
aspirations.
Following the game, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan informed the media
that Campbell, a nine-year veteran, was requested to enter the game in
the third quarter after Dre Greenlaw, who was making his season debut
after recovering from an Achilles injury sustained in the previous Super
Bowl, experienced some discomfort. However, Campbell declined the
opportunity and subsequently walked to the locker room.
In his post-game press conference, Shanahan noted that Campbell did not
provide any explanation for his refusal to play.
Shanahan expressed uncertainty regarding the possibility of the team
releasing Campbell, stating, “When someone says that, you move on. You
don’t deal with that anymore. That’s somebody who doesn’t want to play
football, that’s pretty simple. I think our team and myself, we know how
we feel about that. So, I don’t think we need to talk about him
anymore.”
49ers tight end George Kittle characterized Campbell’s choice as
“selfish.”
“Look, if you’re on the roster and you suit up, you’re expected to
play,” Kittle remarked to reporters. “I believe that anyone in this
building who was asked to go in would jump at the chance to step onto
that football field. While individuals may be facing personal challenges
off the field, I cannot comment on that.
“Whatever his decision was, it did not align with the interests of this
organization or this team, and that is on him. I am not pleased with it.
I wish I had been informed about it on the field, but I was not. Is
that the reason we lost? Absolutely not. However, it is challenging to
secure victories when someone is unwilling to play, especially when they
are suited up. It can be disheartening, particularly when we have
already lost two linebackers and could have utilized another.”
San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward was participating in his third
game since returning after the tragic loss of his daughter.
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