San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel came one game away from a Super Bowl appearance last season, only to fall to the Philadelphia Eagles. He holds a grudge.
That 49ers loss to Philly comes with a bit of an asterisk, of course. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy — formerly known as Mr. Irrelevant — was a pleasant surprise for a team which dealt with unforeseen quarterback injuries issues all season long.
Purdy suffered a severe injury during that game, and while he tried to play through the pain, was essentially useless. The Niners were a one-dimensional team on offense, and couldn’t throw the ball downfield. Purdy knew this. Kyle Shanahan knew this. Worst of all, the Philadelphia Eagles defense knew this.
San Francisco was out of options at QB, and had to stick with Purdy.
49ers star Deebo Samuel takes shot at Philadelphia Eagles
So, Philly loaded up the box with their talented defensive front and tried to force a pass from Purdy which never came. The 49ers haven’t forgotten that fact, which is why Deebo Samuel spoke out about the Eagles offseason, and his distaste for the City of Brotherly Love.
“We lost because we played with 10 people,” Samuel said to Complex. “I ain’t going to keep going on about what could’ve happened and what would’ve happened but yeah, it would’ve definitely been a different outcome (if healthy).”
Much of this sounds like would’ve, should’ve, could’ve from a San Francisco team which lost 31-7 in the NFC Championship. No, they did not have a quarterback, but that game wasn’t particularly close. The Eagles were up two touchdowns at halftime alone.
Samuel hasn’t forgotten that, and uses last season’s result as motivation.
“My most hated team is the Eagles right now. 100 percent…All the trash talk coming from the Eagles fan base and the players, you just get tired of that,” Samuel continued.
It’s tough for any star player to keep their head in the sand. Deebo hears all the noise.