It only takes a moment to undo a career’s worth of hard work. That’s the reality former 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell is now facing after refusing to enter the game during Thursday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams.
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His decision drew sharp criticism from teammates, coaches, and now, former All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman, who didn’t mince words while discussing Campbell’s future.
“I think his reputation is done,” Merriman told TMZ Sports TV (FS1). “I’d be shocked if another team decides to pick him up after the season because he now is going to be deemed unreliable.”
The incident occurred during the third quarter when 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw – who had just reclaimed his starting role from Campbell – suffered a leg injury and had to leave the game. Instead of stepping in as expected, Campbell refused to play, reportedly telling head coach Kyle Shanahan that he didn’t want to go back on the field.
Merriman, known for his relentless play with the San Diego Chargers, shared his perspective on the incident. He emphasized that one bad decision can overshadow an entire career, regardless of a player’s on-field talent.
“I’ve seen a lot of things, been around a lot of things, and I knew what was going to come from this when he refused to go back in the game,” Merriman said. “You build up your career, you do everything possible, and this one incident is what you’re going to be labeled as going forward, no matter what happens.”
He added that Campbell‘s actions not only put his 49ers career in jeopardy but may also affect his chances with other NFL teams.
“He’s not going to be there on the team after this year,” Merriman said. “If a team decides to pick him up, he’s going to be labeled as that. There’s no getting out of this.”
