San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week following his 14-tackle performance on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. Despite the 49ers having nothing to play for in these final games of the regular season, including this weekend's finale against the Seattle Seahawks, Warner remains motivated. That's what makes him such a special player and a leader on defense.
On Wednesday, the linebacker was asked what motivates him, even after his squad has been eliminated from playoff contention.
"Honestly, it sounds cliché, but the true love of the game," Warner answered. "I love what I do, truly. You ask anybody in this building how I come to work every day, it's going to be the exact same — just because I love what I do, and I love who I do it with.
"This is such an amazing group of men, my teammates, my brothers. I put it on the line for them every single week, and there's always something to prove, regardless of the situation.
"Every time you step in between the white (lines), you're trying to gain respect from your peers. And so, that's my thing. Every time I go out there, it might sound a little aggressive, but I'm trying to embarrass somebody. That's my mindset, and I just love football."
Warner is in his third NFL season and earned his first career Pro Bowl selection this month. San Francisco made him a third-round pick out of BYU in 2018.
"He's a fantastic player. He's everywhere," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters via a conference call on Wednesday. "Early on, he looked like a promising player. We didn't see that he would take over, but he has taken over as a dominant player on their defense, run and pass. I don't know about communications-wise, but I think he's probably calling the shots; it looks like it.
"He looks like he's their leader. He's (had) just a great, quick ascent to a leadership, prominent player position."
The star linebacker has racked up a team-leading 115 tackles, four tackles for a loss, five quarterback hits, two interceptions, six passes defensed, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries through 15 games this season, according to Pro Football Reference.