Clelin Ferrell loves reaching opposing quarterbacks. He also loves fishing. The new San Francisco 49ers defensive end, signed as a free agent, combined the two loves in his sack celebration. It can be seen below.
Clelin Ferrell with the sack...pic.twitter.com/8o2mBNRaOB
— TigerTalk247 (@Tigertalk247) November 8, 2019
Speaking with 49ers team reporter Lindsey Pallares, Ferrell discussed his post-sack fishing move.
"I got a couple [of celebrations], but definitely, the one that's probably caught on the most is that I like to go fishing," Ferrell explained. "I grew up fishing ever since I was a little kid. And Brian Robison, who was a D-end for the Vikings, I remember as a little kid, I watched him. He had the long flowy hair … and he had a blacked-out visor. And the first time I seen him get a sack, he took the fishing rod out, and threw it, and reeled it in, and picked it up."
Ferrell loved the celebration, making it his own.
"So I'm not going to lie, I stole that from him, and I kind of just added my own little twist to it now," Ferrell admits. "So, yeah, I like to go fishing, trying to get the big one every time."
In a discussion with 49ers.com, Ferrell recently shared that the sack celebration also has some family ties.
"That just comes from growing up. I always fished with my Pops," Ferrell said. "… He bought me a Captain America fishing rod. From that moment on, I was hooked on fishing. And my family fishes, so that's always been a big thing."
Ferrell isn't against using the celebration in other circumstances; perhaps a well-timed tackle for a loss. However, you're more likely to see it when he brings down a quarterback.
Ferrell has recorded 10 sacks over his four seasons with the Raiders and looks to break out with the 49ers, working with renowned defensive line coach Kris Kocurek to find ways to fish and catch more NFL quarterbacks.
"I feel like being here with Coach Kris and being in this defense can really, I think, put on notice just my true skill set," Ferrell shared with Pallares. "And regardless of the fact, I think just the effort, the mentality that I try to bring is something that I really take pride in."
