Former NFL star JJ Watt has come to the defense of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel after a heated sideline scuffle during Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The incident, which saw Samuel grab his own teammate by the throat, has sparked plenty of discussion in the NFL community, but Watt believes the wideout’s actions were driven by his passion for winning.
The altercation occurred when Deebo Samuel confronted kicker Jake Moody after Moody missed his third field goal attempt in what ended up being a narrow 23-20 victory for the 49ers. Long-snapper Taybor Pepper intervened, attempting to defend Moody, which led to Samuel pushing Pepper away by the throat. In the midst of the scuffle, Samuel’s hand also made contact with Moody’s helmet, further escalating the situation.
JJ Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, joined ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday to weigh in on the incident. Watt offered a unique perspective, defending Samuel’s actions as an expression of his desire to hold his teammates accountable and his competitive nature.
“I have not seen the throat grab on your own teammate for a while,” Watt admitted. “Trying to remember the last time I’ve seen it in general. But I don’t mind players holding their own guys accountable.”
Watt emphasized that while the optics of the incident were not ideal, the underlying message was clear: Samuel was frustrated because he wanted his team to perform at its best. “I think kickers have a tough job, and it’s extremely clear if they do or don’t accomplish their job,” Watt added. “You either put it through the uprights or you don’t. Nobody knows that more than the kicker himself.”
Watt’s comments suggest that he believes the intensity shown by players like Samuel is a crucial part of what makes them great competitors. While emotions sometimes boil over, Watt implied that holding teammates accountable is an important aspect of maintaining high standards and striving for victory.
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49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan also addressed the incident in his pre-game press conference on Sunday, making it clear that while Samuel’s actions were not condoned, they were understandable in the heat of the moment. “Regardless of what happens, you don’t throw a punch,” Shanahan said. “And you see what happens when that happens.”
Despite the altercation, Samuel continued to contribute on the field, finishing the game with five receptions for 62 yards. Moody, meanwhile, redeemed himself by hitting the game-winning field goal late in the contest, sealing a crucial victory for the 49ers.
Shanahan later confirmed that no internal discipline would be taken against Samuel for his role in the scuffle, and the NFL has also opted not to pursue further action.
On Monday, Shanahan elaborated on the incident, downplaying its significance. “We squashed it, and we’re good,” Shanahan said. “I think it was a little bit of an overreaction. You never want Deebo to throw a baby punch at anybody on our own team, but he also wasn’t saying anything bad to Jake. He was meeting him on the field telling him to lock in, the same thing I’ll tell an offensive player who just dropped some balls or made some penalties.”
The incident has highlighted the high-pressure environment that NFL players operate in, particularly during tight games with playoff implications.
While the optics of a teammate grabbing another by the throat are far from ideal, both Watt and Shanahan have emphasized that such moments of frustration are often born out of a desire to push each other to be better.
For Deebo Samuel, his passion for the game and commitment to winning are well known, and this incident, while regrettable, is a testament to his competitive spirit.
The 49ers will look to build on their win over the Buccaneers as they continue their push towards the postseason, and it appears that any tension from the sideline scuffle has already been put to rest. The focus now shifts to the rest of the season, with Samuel and his teammates united in their pursuit of success.
