Last year, during a primetime matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, wide receiver Deebo Samuel showed off some flashy jewelry. Following his second touchdown of the night, Samuel donned the San Francisco 49ers "Game Changer" chain.
Deebo Samuel with the largest chain of all time. pic.twitter.com/IpoToJwtaq
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 16, 2021
You might remember that game as the one that saw Samuel thrust into the "wide back" role. He only saw six carries before that Week 10 matchup but had 53 after that, not counting the playoffs.
Cornerback Jason Verrett was the one who purchased the chain, which was designed by Rafaello & Co. earlier in the season. The goal was to use it to highlight a player who made a spectacular or game-changing play.
The chain has since vanished, and head coach Kyle Shanahan hopes it doesn't make a return.
"I was not a big fan of the chain," Shanahan told reporters after Saturday's practice. "I think anything gimmicky and college-like is kind of lame to me. Jason Verrett got it for us, and he's as cool of a guy as I know, and the players thought it was cool, so I didn't tell them no or anything. But I was really hoping we didn't use it in the wrong way because I think we're more professional than that."
The coach admits that he didn't really mind seeing Samuel use the chain during that specific game.
"But the time that [Deebo] did choose [to wear it], I can't lie, it didn't come off that bad," Shanahan said. "I've liked their decision-making on it. I don't know if it's gone. I hope it is, but I trust those guys to handle it right, and they haven't let me down so far."
The 49ers will once again face the Rams in primetime. The two teams are set to square off on Monday night at Levi's Stadium.
