Former NFL quarterback turned media commentator Cam Newton and San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel have found themselves embroiled in a public dispute, originating from Newton labeling Brock Purdy as a game manager.
After Newton’s comments, the 49ers faced an embarrassing defeat against the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day, with Purdy struggling significantly with turnovers. Newton, unyielding in his stance, tweeted a “monocle” emoji during Monday night’s game to assert the accuracy of his assessment.
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Deebo Samuel addressed Newton’s comments on the Up & Adams Show, expressing his frustration with Newton reaching out to him despite the criticism. Samuel disclosed that Newton had sought him for a podcast appearance just two weeks earlier, emphasizing the irony.
In response, Newton denied having Samuel’s number in a video, expressing continued admiration for the 49ers star while dismissing the claim that he contacted him.
However, Samuel posted and later deleted screenshots of what he believed were texts from Newton, revealing that he had been pranked by kids.
The incident highlighted the need for Samuel to stay focused as the 49ers maintain their position as the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Despite distractions, the 49ers hold a coveted spot with an 11-4 record, sharing it with the Lions and Eagles. The tiebreaker currently favors the 49ers, securing them the top seed based on their record against NFC opponents.
The situation serves as a reminder of the potential distractions that public spats can bring, especially as the 49ers approach the playoffs with the goal of maintaining their standing and securing home-field advantage.