ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark took issue with De’Vondre Campbell’s refusal to enter the Thursday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The veteran linebacker Campbell, who was replaced in the lineup by Dre Greenlaw entering the Week 14 game, even left the field altogether during the 49ers‘ 12-9 loss to the Rams.
APSan Francisco 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell walks to the locker room during the third quarter of the Thursday Night Football loss versus the Los Angeles Rams[/caption]
ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark went on a tirade over Campbell’s decision on Friday’s edition of Get Up
After Greenlaw felt knee tightness in the third quarter, Campbell declined to play in the game.
After the contest, 49ers players Charvarius Ward and George Kittle aired out their frustrations with Campbell’s decision.
Clark appeared on ESPN’s Get Up and echoed their sentiments.
“Why would you want him on your team?” the former Pittsburgh Steelers champion defensive back asked on the Friday edition of the program.
Clark also said that Campbell missed his opportunity to display his talents to the rest of the league.
“I’m playing to show… that I could be a valuable piece to [a team’s] locker room,” he said.
“It’s not just about my former All-Pro years and what I can do in the grass, it’s about the leadership that I can provide in the locker room.
“It’s about having some sort of football integrity, some sort of football character.
“And for people like us, Bart [Scott], right? The people that weren’t entitled to anything. The people that were cut off of football teams. … Was to go out and say, ‘Put the film on, look at 57, look at 59, and tell me who played better.’
“And what he also has to remember: he has no deposits into the San Francisco 49ers’ emotional bank account. Dre Greenlaw has all of those deposits.”
Clark then mentioned the fact that Greenlaw tore his Achilles during last season’s Super Bowl and that all of the 49ers players were “dejected” to see the team’s 2019 fifth-round pick suffer the serious injury.
“That’s the sort of man that you’re replacing, and you did a good job,” Clark added. “Now, do the rest of your job. And when you’re called upon again, stand up for your team.
The 45-year-old finished his rant, by saying. “As a brotherhood, [Greenlaw] should never play again.”
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed on Friday that Campbell will not play another down as a 49er.
APGreenlaw recorded 79 tackles in 12 starts with the 49ers[/caption]
The team is still figuring out if they will cut Campbell from his one-year, $5 million contract or suspend him.
“We’re working the semantics of exactly how to deal with it,” Shanahan said.
“You guys heard from me last night. You guys heard from our players.
“His actions from the game is not something you can do to your team or your teammates and still expect to be a part of our team.”
Campbell entered the Week 14 contest with 79 tackles.
He has spent time with the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers.
https://www.the-sun.com/sport/13090144/ryan-clark-devondre-campbell-49ers-quit-team/