Deommodore Lenoir calls out C.J. Gardner-Johnson, says Deebo Samuel backed up his trash talk
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was the unlucky recipient of the 49ers’ taunting following their win in the NFC Conference Championship game on Sunday. Thanks to some trash-talking with San Francisco star Deebo Samuel earlier this season, 49ers players were quick to call Gardner-Johnson out after completing their come-from-behind victory at Levi’s Stadium.
The former Florida Gators defensive back tried to call “game” in the second quarter, even waiving goodbye to 49ers fans with the Lions up 20-7. Of course, FOX’s camera caught Gardner-Johnson’s waiving, which allowed the San Francisco stars to pile on even more.
“Deebo stiff-armed the s*** out his a**… all that talking,” cornerback Deommodore Lenoir said on Instagram Live after the win.
“Don’t be friendly when you see me,” Gardner-Johnson said earlier this season, in reference to Deebo Samuel. “Because I can guard you. You can’t run routes; you’re a running back.”
Samuel also chimed in after the game to troll the Lions safety. He wrote on X, “Somebody go check on lil bruh,” with laughing emojis. It appears the South Carolina alum got the last laugh.
On top of the stiff-arm from Samuel, Gardner-Johnson also took a hard stiff-arm from 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. The fifth-year safety ended the night with four tackles.
Samuel had eight catches on nine targets for 81 yards on Sunday, as well as three carries for seven yards. The 49ers took down the Lions 34-31 to advance to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas in two weeks. They’ll face the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of Super Bowl LIV in 2020.
How to Watch Super Bowl LVIII between 49ers-Chiefs
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS, Paramount+
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Spread: San Francisco -2.5
Over/Under: 47.5
The 49ers will enter the game as the favorite, with FanDuel installing San Francisco as a -2.5 favorite over Kansas City.
The Kansas City Chiefs advanced to the Super Bowl by winning the AFC title with a thrilling 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
The game was a defensive struggle on a rainy day in Baltimore, but the experience of the Chiefs paid off in a big way. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes did what he had to do and was ready to roll from the start.
Mahomes finished the AFC Championship Game 30-of-39 passing for 241 yards and a touchdown. His main target was veteran tight end Travis Kelce, who caught 11 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown.