There were times when San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel walked into the team's facilities, weighed down by frustration from another disappointing loss. The 49ers finished the 2024 season with just six wins—far short of the championship expectations they had set heading into last offseason.
While the losses took a toll, Samuel found inspiration in his younger teammates. The veteran wideout felt a responsibility to set a strong example for the rookies in the wide receiver room—Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing.
"I can't go in here and be this [frustrated] guy because, at the end of the day, I want to be the best leader I can for them," Samuel told Kay Adams in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX. "I tell them both every day—I see them out there, I see them in the meeting rooms—'Like, bro, you two, you boys got what it takes to be what the league needs for as a player.'"
Samuel has developed a particularly strong bond with Cowing, as the two have connected over their shared experience of fatherhood.
"But them two young guys, they gonna be special," Samuel said. "They gonna be real special."
Samuel admits that he may not fit the mold of a traditional locker-room leader in the eyes of the outside world. He's not one to deliver rousing speeches in front of the entire team. Instead, he leads by example and only chooses to speak up when he sees something that needs to be addressed.
"I'm not like a big rah-rah guy to get in front of the team and [give motivational speeches]," Samuel explained. "I'm really a guy putting the pads on, 'Let's go to work.' If I see some things that I know you don't do, and you do, then I'd be like, 'Yo, bro, I ain't never seen you do this before. Where does it come from?'"
In December, Pearsall reflected on what Samuel's mentorship has meant during his rookie season.
"Specifically, in the receiver room, Deebo has been a tremendous support to me, and a great leader for me, to obviously come into a room like that," Pearsall shared. "I just want to make sure that he feels appreciated because he should. I appreciate him greatly. He's been tremendous for me."