Despite the challenging situation, the Niners rallied, staging an impressive come-from-behind effort to clinch the playoff victory. According to CEO Jed York, one frustrated 49ers player made a fiery plea during the halftime break.
"I don't know if you know, but [GM John] Lynch went down to the locker room at halftime, and tense halftime, right?" York told Kay Adams this week on FanDuel's "Up & Adams" show. "You're down by 17 points, and he said Deebo was just sitting there, just shaken. He's like, 'Just tell Kyle to get me the damn ball.'
"And I mean, that's who Deebo is. He's just ready to take over a game at any point, and I'm very, very glad that he is on our football club."
Samuel had two catches for 21 yards in the first half but stepped up with six catches for 68 yards in the second half as the gutsy 49ers refused to surrender, outscoring the Lions 27-7 after halftime. They eventually emerged with a 34-31 win, advancing to Super Bowl 58 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Following the emotional victory against the Lions, Samuel expressed, "This is my fifth year, and I have been to one Super Bowl, and that was my rookie year. These past few years, we fell short at the NFC Championship. What a coincidence, last year we lose [QB] Brock [Purdy]. The year before, we just lose the game, and we are down 17 at the half [against the Lions], and it is just like whatever it takes for us to get this win, and we went out there and did it."
H/t to Ian Casselberry of Sports Illustrated for the find.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers GM John Lynch addresses Deebo Samuel's struggles amid social media denial
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel has struggled to replicate the statistical success of his breakout 2021 season. Samuel racked up 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns that year, earning a massive contract extension. His career-high 1,405 receiving yards... -
49ers' Deebo Samuel denies struggles, blames lack of opportunitiesĀ
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel has faced criticism in recent weeks for underwhelming performances. Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle noted that Samuel has accumulated just 97 total yards over his last four games. Deebo Samuel has 97 total yards in his... -
Deebo Samuel, De'Vondre Campbell succumb to frustration as 49ers season washes away
In a rain-soaked stadium, facing their mirror image once again, the San Francisco 49ers stood by and let their season slip away. If not officially, the 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams marks the end of San Francisco's faint playoff hopes. The 49ers, who now fall to 6-8, have... -
49ers-Rams: Deebo Samuel takes accountability for crucial dropped pass
Just days after making headlines for suggesting a lack of opportunities was at the root of his diminished production this season, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel was upfront Thursday night about a pivotal dropped pass that potentially took points off the board...