Clark says Campbell ‘should never play again’ for 49ers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Opinions are running high in the NFL world about De’Vondre Campbell after the 49ers linebacker refused to play in Thursday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Former NFL safety and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark shared a passionate response on “Get Up” Friday morning, explaining why he believes the former All-Pro shouldn’t play another game in the Red and Gold.

“As great as Fred Warner is, everyone in the locker room felt that Dre Greenlaw was actually the heartbeat of this defense,” Clark said. “He is the heartbeat of this team. You saw the beginning of this game. There was no player ranked higher than No. 57. So if you’re De’Vondre Campbell, you need to be able to see this. And you too.” I missed the fact that if I’m De’Vondre Campbell, I’m playing not only to show that I can be a valuable part of the San Francisco 49ers, but also to show Mike Tannenbaum , who may be over in New York or Miami, that I can be a valuable piece for their dressing room.

“And it’s not just about my previous All-Pro years and what I can do on the field — it’s about the leadership I can provide in the locker room. It’s about having a kind of footballing integrity. It’s about having some kind of integrity.” Football character. … What he also has to keep in mind is that he doesn’t have any deposits in the San Francisco 49ers’ emotional bank account. If you remember, when that man ran down the sideline and tore his Achilles (in Super Bowl LVIII), it wasn’t just the San Francisco 49ers who were crushed, the first thing that happened was number 15 (Patrick Mahomes) of the Kansas City Chiefs on the other side said was, “Dre Greenlaw is down.”

“That’s the kind of man you’re replacing. And you’ve done a good job, now do the rest of your work when asked again. Stand up for your team.”

Campbell, who appeared in all 13 games for San Francisco this season, did not play on Thursday as Greenlaw made his season debut after a lengthy rehab from a torn Achilles tendon.

After the game, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan explained what happened when cameras caught Campbell suddenly leaving the game and heading to the locker room.

“He said he didn’t want to play today,” Shanahan said.

Clark believes there should be no place for this type of attitude or behavior in professional football.

“In my opinion, he should never play as a fraternity again – ever again,” Clark said firmly. “Why would you want him on your team?”

The 49ers signed Campbell, a nine-year NFL veteran, to a one-year, $5 million contract this offseason after he spent the past three seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

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