Are you a Kendrick Bourne doubter? If so, the San Francisco 49ers' fourth-year receiver loves you. He wants you to keep on doubting his place on the team and in the NFL.
Bourne entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the 49ers in 2017, the first year of the Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch regime. At the time, some felt he was a long shot at making the 53-man roster. Yet, here he is, three years later, nearly a lock to make a 2020 squad that is coming off of a trip to the Super Bowl.
The following tweet from 2017 remains pinned to his Twitter account, perhaps as motivation and a reminder of where he started.
Let criticism help you. Not affect you
— Kendrick Bourne Poly (@BournePoly11) January 31, 2017
In April, the 49ers signed Bourne to a one-year tender. A productive 2020 campaign could result in a big payday for the always-enthusiastic receiver. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next year.
"I'm just trying to take it to the top," Bourne said last month. "I'm trying to be one of the top-paid guys, top-tier guys. That's what my goal has been since I was a kid. It's so crazy that it's here now. You've just got to take advantage of the opportunity, not let it slip by."
Bourne recorded a career-high 487 receiving yards and four touchdowns after hauling in 42 passes in 2018. Last season, he had a career-high five touchdown receptions on 30 catches that went for 358 receiving yards. Twenty-three of those 30 receptions resulted in either a first down or a score. That continued into the postseason when Bourne hauled in six passes, five of which went for either a first down or a touchdown.
Bourne has his sights set on much more this season. One of his many goals is to become a 1,000-yard receiver. That's in addition to a list that includes becoming a starter, winning a Super Bowl, and being legendary.
Outside doubt has followed him throughout his NFL career, and he embraces the noise.
I love doubters been doubted all my life! 💪🏾 nothing new 👌🏽😇 https://t.co/HYmIJgy8YL
— Kendrick Bourne Poly (@BournePoly11) June 24, 2020
49ers teammate Raheem Mostert responded with the following.
Fuel to the fire! Tell'em broski! https://t.co/9nP8znlPG4
— Raheem Mostert (@RMos_8Ball) June 24, 2020
You know we know best! 💪🏾💪🏾
— Kendrick Bourne Poly (@BournePoly11) June 24, 2020
Bourne has no shortage of self-confidence or confidence in his teammates. In May, the receiver guaranteed that his 49ers would respond to February's heartbreaking Super Bowl loss with a victory in Florida on February 7, 2021. Judging by his offseason workout videos, Bourne is undoubtedly putting in the work needed to help his team achieve that goal.
