On Thursday, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell of the San Francisco 49ers didn’t take to the field for a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Campbell was called on to fill in due to the injuries of much-needed backers Dre Greenlaw and Dee Winters. However, the veteran declined, a decision that left head coach Kyle Shanahan and the entire 49ers team fuming.
Shanahan said Campbell’s refusal to play came after Greenlaw returned from an Achilles’ injury that had him dealing with knee soreness. Campbell was slated to replace Greenlaw, but the Niners had to resort to inserting Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, the only remaining healthy linebacker. After Campbell didn’t play a single snap, he walked into the locker room covered with a towel, drawing further scrutiny for his actions. According to Shanahan, he was aggravated. Campbell’s decision was “an indication that he simply didn’t want to play football.
The fallout from Campbell’s choice sent ripples through the locker room. Kittle did not mince words in his criticism. Kittle, proud of being a leader, expressed disappointment in his inability to address the situation. “That’s just dumb, and it’s very immature,” Kittle stated, adding that Campbell’s selfish decision was a distraction that the team certainly didn’t need. Also, it was made clear that within the team, this behavior is completely unacceptable, calling it “ignorant” and “stupid.”
Campbell’s decision landed with a big upset for teammates, like cornerback Charvarius Ward, who played through personal tragedy these last weeks after having suffered the loss of his 1-year-old daughter. He cited Campbell’s actions as “sucka stuff,” claiming that it would have been more appropriate if the linebacker had been honest about his wish to not play before going into the match. Many of his mates put the same sentiments forward that Campbell’s refusal in itself was an affront to the matchup for which the team had to pit their best.
Signed in March as a placeholder until Greenlaw’s return, Campbell had started 12 of the 49ers’ first 13 games, playing an integral role in their defense. His refusal to step up in a time in a team has likely raised serious questions about his future on the team. With a playoff berth slipping further from reach, the 49ers’ management will likely make tough decisions, and Campbell’s behavior on Thursday night could be the catalyst for his departure.
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