San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel has endured a turbulent season, and as a result, he’s beginning to feel the weight of growing criticism. As one of the team’s eight captains, alongside quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, tight end George Kittle, offensive tackle Trent Williams, linebacker Fred Warner, and defensive end Nick Bosa, Samuel plays a key role in rallying the team during challenging times. However, a small but vocal segment of fans is now questioning whether Samuel truly deserves the captaincy, particularly after a recent sideline incident.
In response to the criticism, Samuel addressed the situation directly on his “Cleats & Convos” podcast. He explained that the 49ers hold themselves to a higher standard than the public or outside critics. “We hold ourselves—my teammates, myself, Coach Kyle Shanahan, General Manager John Lynch, and the owners— to a higher standard than others hold us to,” Samuel stated. He acknowledged that some people are calling for him to lose the captain’s “C” following an altercation with long-snapper Taybor Pepper during a Week 10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he made it clear that the situation was misunderstood. Samuel described how he stepped in after kicker Jake Moody missed multiple field goals, urging him to lock in and focus. This moment, according to Samuel, was a demonstration of leadership, not a lack of control.
The incident in question occurred during a tight 23-20 victory over the Buccaneers. After Moody missed his third field-goal attempt, Samuel was seen confronting him on the sidelines, which led to a brief exchange with Pepper. The moment quickly went viral on social media, with many viewing Samuel’s actions as overly confrontational. However, all parties involved—including Samuel, Pepper, Moody, and Coach Shanahan—maintained that the situation was blown out of proportion and was handled internally, with no lingering bad feelings.
Samuel, undeterred by the backlash, emphasized that leadership on the 49ers is ultimately determined by the players themselves. “If my teammates and everyone around me feels that I deserve to wear the ‘C,’ then I’ll wear it with pride,” he stated confidently. Despite the controversy, Samuel remains resolute in his leadership role, believing that his actions were a necessary display of accountability and that his leadership is respected by his peers in the locker room.
