San Francisco 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell garnered attention when he exited the field during a Week 15 game, declining to continue playing. The unforeseen act resulted in his suspension for the rest of the season, igniting strong interest in his reasons. Despite being quiet for two months, Campbell ultimately spoke out on Friday with a series of posts on social media. However, his comments resulted in fans having more questions than clarity, since the cause of his sudden exit was still ambiguous.
De’Vondre Campbell Stays Silent Regarding His Choice to Leave Game in Week 15
Although he eventually confronted the issue, De’Vondre Campbell did not provide a clear justification for his behavior. Rather, he suggested that he was satisfied with his NFL career after nine seasons and nearly $40 million in earnings. On X, he remarked, “It’s been 2 months and I still haven’t dealt with the situation since I know the truth and don’t wish to clarify anything.” His condescending tone persisted as he replied to a user who criticized his choice to abandon his team, stating frankly, “I’m not addressing sh.”
The experienced linebacker disclosed that following his release by the Green Bay Packers, he was signed by 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. “I’m wealthy and won’t need to work again, and I told Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch that when they FaceTimed me and pleaded for me to come out there an hour after Green Bay released me,” Campbell revealed. His remarks indicated a deficiency in enthusiasm for the sport, supporting the notion that he might have mentally disengaged well before his departure during the game.
Campbell’s choice to exit the field took place during the 49ers’ game against the Los Angeles Rams. Head coach Kyle Shanahan disclosed that Campbell told the team he was no longer interested in playing, a revelation that shocked both his teammates and the coaching staff. Campbell had been a starter for the majority of the season but lost his position to Dre Greenlaw, who came back from an Achilles injury. It is thought that this reduction in rank played a role in Campbell’s choice to leave during the game, though he opted not to verify this.
Following his actions, 49ers general manager John Lynch allegedly confronted Campbell on the sidelines, resulting in his prompt ejection from the game. Shanahan subsequently stated that Campbell’s decision not to play was “not something acceptable if you wish to remain part of our team.” As a result, the 49ers suspended Campbell for the season’s final three games, leading to a loss of about $261,666 in salary and bonuses, according to Spotrac.
After playing on a one-year, $5 million contract, the 31-year-old linebacker’s behavior might have ultimately concluded his NFL career. Although he made notable contributions during the game, his mid-match departure and bold social media outburst may dissuade upcoming teams from looking at him. Nevertheless, Campbell appears undisturbed by this prospect, considering his financial stability.
The contentious event has fans questioning if they have witnessed the final moments of De’Vondre Campbell’s career in the NFL. Based on his comments on social media, the linebacker seems satisfied with his choice, no matter what others think.