Would it have been the right call for 49ers defensive back Jimmie Ward to be given a penalty for his late-game hit on Packers wide receiver Davante Adams in the 49ers' 30-28 loss to the Packers Sunday night? Ward doesn't think so, and he's happy the officials felt the same.
The hit came on a first-down deep pass attempt to Adams from quarterback Aaron Rodgers with just under eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Replay showed Ward made helmet-to-helmet contact with Adams after the ball went through Adams' hands.
How is there no flag on Jimmie Ward here pic.twitter.com/YteWktcxWt
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Ward was asked about the hit after the game and responded by saying he felt the hit was clean and that used the proper technique.
"Yeah, I know how to hit pretty good," Ward said. "Led with my shoulder. There was no flag. I always lead with my shoulder. I've got to watch the hit, but (it was) a bang-bang play. I'm glad there was no flag. Shout out to the ref."
Rodgers didn't agree, stating after the game that he spoke with both Ward and the official after the no-call.
"From where I was at it looked like helmet-to-helmet," Rodgers said. "My first question was for the back judge. You always have respect for the officials; it's a tough job to do in real time to make decisions, so I was asking what he saw on the play. He gave me a great dissertation, then I was wondering who hit my guy. That was the extent of the conversation."
Adams stayed down on the turf for a time after the hit, but it wasn't due to any issues with his head. He told reporters following the win that he took the brunt of the hit to his chest and was having some brief breathing issues as a result, then was able to quickly recover and return to the field.
"How I'm able to get through (hits like that) is I'm different," Adams said. "That's probably the main thing. I've dealt with a lot of stuff like that, and just the mental toughness to get in there, to know. It wasn't a concussion, so I went on the sideline, they evaluated and saw right away. I was straight."
Adams was able to finish the game and wound up burning the 49ers on the game-winning drive, catching two passes for 43 yards to set up the final field goal with two seconds left to play. Ward wasn't surprised Adams was able to fight through the hit to be a major factor in the end.
"No, he's a competitor," Ward said. "I'm happy there was no serious injury. He finished the game and he helped close out the game for them, so I'm proud of that guy."