Current San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel has found himself in the middle of a heated back-and-forth with a former 49ers great this week, and it’s creating quite the buzz. The outspoken Hall of Fame receiver Terrell Owens took aim at Samuel in a way that quickly drew attention, adding a layer of tension between two generations of standout wideouts.
During an interview on 95.7 The Game’s “The Morning Roast” on Thursday, Owens didn’t hold back his critique. He accused Samuel of focusing more on his pregame fashion choices than on his performance on the field, implying that Deebo’s head wasn’t fully in the game.
“Deebo is not really playing up to Deebo’s standards,” Owens said, as reported by NBC Sports. “It seems like he’s more focused on his pregame attire than he is actually [on] the game. So again, if we can shift that focus, maybe that can energize and create more production from an offensive standpoint.”
It didn’t take long for Samuel to hear about Owens’ comments, and it was clear he was not amused. In a direct response on social media, Samuel fired back on X (formerly known as Twitter), writing, “T.O cut it fam!!!!”—a sharp rebuke to a legend who has never been shy about stirring the pot.
Samuel, a former All-Pro known for his unique ability to impact games both as a receiver and a rusher, has had an admittedly inconsistent 2024 season so far.
Through nine games, he’s managed just 490 receiving yards and a single touchdown. On the ground, he’s also struggled to make an impact, totaling only 79 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
His numbers are a noticeable drop from his usual electrifying performances, and frustration has started to mount. Samuel has also made headlines recently for a fiery sideline outburst, and his eye-catching pregame fashion has continued to capture attention—though not always for the right reasons.
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Owens, now 50 years old, knows a thing or two about controversy himself. During his career, Owens often found himself at the center of the NFL’s spotlight for his over-the-top antics and unapologetic confidence, but few could argue that his production on the field was lacking. It might be precisely because Owens had such a turbulent but productive career that his criticism hit a nerve with Samuel.
Despite Owens’ penchant for the dramatic, he always backed it up with elite-level play. This history makes his critique all the more cutting for a player like Samuel, who is trying to recapture his best form amid a challenging season. It’s no surprise that Samuel, feeling the pressure from a fanbase that expects greatness, didn’t take kindly to Owens’ remarks.
As the 49ers continue their campaign, this public exchange adds a new storyline to follow. For Deebo Samuel, the question now becomes whether he will use the criticism as motivation to step up his game or if the distraction will further complicate his season.
Either way, it’s clear that the expectations in San Francisco are high—and that the scrutiny from those who once wore the red and gold can be just as intense as the spotlight of game day.
