What It Means to Be A 49er and Why De'Vondre Campbell Will Never Be One Again:

The 49ers suffered a tough 12-6 loss against their divisional rival Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, effectively ending their slim playoff hopes. The one bright spot was the return of 49ers All Pro linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who tore his Achilles in last year's Super Bowl, sidelining him for 10 months. 

Going into the offseason the 49ers knew they were going to be without Greenlaw for more than half of the season, so they went out and signed De'Vondre Campbell, a veteran linebacker who was a pro bowl caliber player during his years with the Green Bay Packers. He knew his role was to do his job for about thirteen games and then sit down once one of the best linebackers in the NFL returns. 

Greenlaw’s return is what everybody expected, he was all over the field in the first half, recording 10 tackles in just two quarters. He shut down the Rams pro bowl running back Kyren Williams. The 49ers defense looked like they were back in 2023 form.

During the first half De'Vondre Campbell was not on the field, as expected. To start the 2nd half, Greenlaw was getting fatigued, which makes sense since it's his first organized football game in almost a year. The 49ers needed their veteran Campbell to step in for a few series. When Head Coach Kyle Shannahan asked him to get on the field, Campbell responded with one word, “No.” He then proceeded to walk off the field with a grin on his face and go into the locker room to change and leave. 

De'Vondre Campbell is a perfect example of the teammate you teach your children not to be, just because you were benched for someone who is clearly better than you, and the team told you that would happen before signing you, does not mean you sit and cry once it happens. A good teammate always stays ready and cheers for his teammate who is coming off one of the worst injuries an athlete can have.

The 49ers are known as one of the best organizations in the history of sports. Around the NFL they have always been known as a franchise with class, toughness, and a winning culture. De'Vondre Campbell does not deserve to be a part of that or play the game of football.

49ers cornerback Charvarius “Mooney” Ward summed it up perfectly in his postgame press conference when asked about De'Vondre Campbell walking off the field. “That’s some sucker stuff to me. Probably gonna get cut soon.” Couldn’t have said it better myself. 

NFL players would do anything to put on the red and gold. For example, after the 1985 season, former San Francisco Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott had the tip of his left pinky finger removed. A bone graft surgery would have prevented him from starting the 1986 season after the finger was crushed while tackling running back Timmy Newsome. Rather than losing any playing time, Lott was prepared to cut off a portion of a finger. Since it would never completely heal, the physicians advised Lott to have it removed in 1986. Lott was willing to cut off his finger in order to be out there and help his team, that's a real 49er. 

During the 2017 season, the 49ers were 0-9 heading into a week 11 game against the New York Football Giants. Hours before the game, 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin's newborn baby passed away, the worst thing that can happen to any new parents. The 49ers advised Goodwin to take as much time as he needed to be with his family. Instead, he showed up to the game, and won the 49ers their first game that season, scoring a touchdown. That’s how badly he wanted to put on the red and gold. 

In August of 2024, 49ers first round pick Ricky Pearsall was shot in downtown San Francisco, something that could have ended his football career. Instead, Pearsall fought and fought every day to return to the field, just seven weeks later, Pearsall scored a touchdown to help the 49ers defeat the Buccaneers.  

These are three of a million examples of players fighting and going through so much just to play for one of the most storied franchises in all of football. None of these players walked off the field just because they got their feelings hurt, they went through way more than De'Vondre Campbell is going through. Yet, against all odds, suited up and helped their team win. That’s what being a 49er will always mean, and we all hope we never see De'Vondre Campbell put on the 49er jersey ever again. He will not be missed by any of the faithful.