Deebo Samuel delivered the decisive blow on social media following several shots taken by Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson during the NFC Championship game.
The game on January 28 saw the 49ers come back from a 17-point deficit to upset the Lions 34–31 and secure a trip to the Super Bowl, reigniting the two teams’ now annual rivalry. The duo also squared off in the NFC Championship game of the previous season, where Johnson’s Philadelphia Eagles defeated the 49ers and there was some back-and-forth between the two players.On Sunday, Samuel and Garnder-Johnson squared off once more, resulting in some tense play on the pitch and trash talk afterward.
Deebo Samuel Rubs Salt in the Wound: Following the game, Samuel posted a video of Gardner-Johnson waving goodbye to San Francisco fans. The Lions had taken a 21-7 lead in the second quarter, and they would later extend that lead with a field goal. However, the 49ers outscored the Lions 27 points in the second half to win the game.
Somebody go check on lil bruh😂😂 https://t.co/8UgIk3iFkG
— Deebo (@19problemz) January 29, 2024
Throughout the game, the two also battled on the field. Malcolm Rodriguez, a linebacker for the Lions, intercepted 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Gardner-Johnson then found Samuel, hitting him blindside with a blow that resulted in a flag for unnecessary roughness and ended the Lions’ promising return.
CJ Gardner-Johnson looking for all the smoke with Deebo Samuel 👀 pic.twitter.com/e5quepnRDz
— Alex Tran (@nineralex) January 29, 2024
Rivals’ animosity against one another
Gardner-Johnson and Samuel have a history of animosity. According to Jordan Dajani and Chris Bengel of CBS Sports, the 49ers receiver seemed displeased with the Eagles’ trash talk after their 31-7 loss in the NFC Championship game the previous year.
Because of all the player trash talk, Samuel declared after the game that the Eagles were his “most hated team.”
According to the story, Gardner-Johnson “fit that Philly mold perfectly,” but he has since moved to Detroit.
This season, Gardner-Johnson responded sharply to Samuel. He told the 49ers wide receiver in an October Instagram livestream to “don’t be friendly when you see me” and that he was just “a running back” who couldn’t run routes, as SFGate.com reported.
Gardner-Johnson remarked, “I ain’t even going to sit here and play with you, little boy.” “You aint nothing, bro, just because you got a little bag, people give you a little clout.”
On social media, the two have previously exchanged back and forth. Following the 49ers’ altercation with the Cleveland Browns in Week 6, Gardner-Johnson took to X to make fun of Samuel’s involvement in the altercation.
U see Deeboo Run 😂 Typical WR behavior … THEN ACT HARD WHEN TRENT SAVE HIM 🥱🥱 https://t.co/9wvgP7sJkK
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) October 15, 2023
Samuel fired back, pointing out to Gardner-Johnson that he has also been involved in altercations on the field in the past and showing a video of a 2020 altercation with wide receiver Javon Wims of the Chicago Bears.
Samuel yelled, “Boy sit down. Stop playing before you get a rewind of this.”
This time, Samuel came out on top as his team advanced to the Super Bowl for the second time in the previous five years while the Lions withdrew for the summer.
