George Kittle is not happy with De’Vondre Campbell.
It was bad enough that the San Francisco 49ers had to deal with losing 12-6 to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, but they also had to deal with a multitude of questions involving while their teammate left the field because he didn’t want to play in the game.
Speaking to reporters after the game, 49ers tight end George Kittle called Campbell’s actions “dumb” and many other things during a heated conversation.
“I’m a leader on the team, and if that is something that is being a distraction on the sideline, I would’ve loved to voice my own opinion in the moment,” George Kittle said, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.
The tight end continued: “And we’re past that moment. So, it doesn’t matter what I wish I could have said or wish I could have done, but I don’t like distractions on the sideline. I think that’s ignorant. And I think it’s just dumb. It’s just stupid, and it’s very immature. I just don’t see how you could do something like that to your team.”
“It’s one person making a selfish decision. I’ve never been around anybody that’s ever done that, and I hope I’m never around anybody who does that again.”
#49ers TE George Kittle did not hold back when addressing LB De'Vondre Campbell's refusal to play on Thursday night, describing it as "ignorant," "dumb," "stupid," and "immature."
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 13, 2024
pic.twitter.com/QKHnyR2PpH https://t.co/g8FU9Z66cs
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Before Thursday Night Football, De’Vondre Campbell had played in all prior 13 regular-season games, with 12 starts. He was replacing Dre Greenlaw, who returned on Thursday night for the first time since tearing his Achilles in Super Bowl LVIII.
It appears he was not too thrilled with being demoted upon his return, and he chose to deal with it this way.
What makes matters worse is that the 9ers lost linebackers Dre Greenlaw (knee) and Dee Winters (neck) to injuries during the game.
Some 49ers teammates believe Campbell won’t have a job in their locker room moving forward.
He entered Thursday night as the 49ers’ second-leading tackler this season, logging 79 tackles while playing 90% of the defensive snaps.
Did De’Vondre Campbell End His Own Career?
You won’t find too many locker rooms in the NFL that will tolerate a player quitting on the team.
De’Vondre Campbell, who signed a one-year deal with the 49ers in March, started 12 games at linebacker this season.
The one time he does not get to start, he ultimately throws a tantrum and walks off the field after refusing to play.
Going forward, he may end up getting cut from the 49ers and quite possibly may have ended his own career in the process.
