Jerry Rice gives brutal reality check to Deebo Samuel ahead of 49ers’ do-or-die games

Jerry Rice was not happy about Deebo Samuel complaining about not getting the ball and then dropping passes in crucial moments.


Jerry Rice gives brutal reality check to Deebo Samuel ahead of 49ers’ do-or-die games

Deebo Samuel and Jerry Rice (Image Credits: L-via AP, R-via X)

Deebo Samuel vented out his frustration earlier this month over his lack of production this season. The wide receiver was not happy with the way he was being used by Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers so far this season. The HC heard his plea and so did Brock Purdy, which is why they trusted him to catch the ball in the game against the Rams.

Deebo Samuel wound up with three catches in the game, but he dropped what could have been a potential touchdown pass just as the score was tied. This third-and-10 drop forced the team to settle for a field goal and ultimately, the Rams went on the beat them and destroyed their playoff hopes.

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Samuel has come under fire for complaining about not getting the ball and then dropping it when he was given the ball. NFL icon and 49ers legend Jerry Rice is not particularly happy with Samuel. He expressed his anger to the receiver on 95.7 The Game.

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I would’ve been p***ed at myself, I would’ve been p***ed at the whole scenario, and I would go to work, go to work on the football field, during practice, and if you do it during practice, you’re going to be able to do it during the game. That ball that he dropped? After you complain about not getting that many touches, you cannot drop the football because everybody is going to get down on you, and they’re going to come after you.

Jerry Rice said

His criticism is simple. Deebo Samuel made his bed and since he allowed his mouth to do the talking rather than his game, he has to lie in it.

Jerry Rice believes Deebo Samuel should keep working on his game rather than taking jibes at the team’s strategies

If the same thing that had happened to Samuel were to have happened to Rice, he would not have been able to remain sane. The three-time Super Bowl winner admitted that he would have gone to work the very next day and practiced harder, replaying the scenario. That way, he can be certain if he found himself in a similar situation again, he would end up catching the ball.

Deebo Samuel and Jerry Rice
Deebo Samuel and Jerry Rice (Image via Open Source)

Rice then cited his example of how just hard work and consistency during practice pays off.

I never said anything about not getting touches or anything like that. I just worked. I just kept working. And if you show it during practice, they’re going to make the call during the actual football game, you’re going to have catches.

Jerry Rice added

Rice advised Samuel to just continue working, leave the strategizing to the coaching staff. When they see him slog at practice and make these plays regularly, it will be a no-brainer that they will trust him to make the play at a critical juncture of the game.

It has been rough for Deebo Samuel, who has caught 14 balls for 101 yards in the last five weeks. His dropped pass cost his team a chance to make it to the postseason and since then the wideout has deleted the post on X where he boldly said “Not struggling at all just not getting the ball.”

With just three games remaining in the season, ESPN’s Power Index gives San Francisco a 0.3% chance of making the playoffs.

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