The San Francisco 49ers have had a tumultuous year. Even before they jettisoned the winningest head coach in the league over the last four seasons, they had a number of players with off-the-field issues. Aldon Smith and Ray McDonald, both now former members of the 49ers, had multiple off-the-field problems.
Now, linebacker Ahmad Brooks has been charged with sexual battery stemming from a party at McDonald’s house. McDonald has been charged with rape. This offseason the 49ers signed Jerome Simpson, who had multiple off-the-field issues over the years and was suspended six games for a 2004 DUI arrest, which was reduced from 10 games.
The 49ers must start prioritizing character when they scout players because it’s clear they learned nothing from McDonald and Smith. Signing and supporting Simpson and not releasing Brooks proves it.
No longer should the fans forking over thousands to watch players run around on loose sod be so embarrassed by the off-the-field actions of their beloved football team. The 49ers are repeated the same mistakes they made with McDonald and Smith. Standing beside players with off-the-field problems so they can win a few more football games.
There’s nothing wrong with supporting troubled players, but those players should no longer be allowed the privilege to play in red and gold. The 49ers should also have done a review of all their players with off-the-field issues this offseason and made that a factor in which players to keep.
Signing yet another player with off-field issues to replace the one they released is not progress. Standing by another that was charged alongside McDonald, a player they finally determined they couldn’t tolerate any longer, is not progress. Especially because it’s not the first time he’s had issues.
For the organization to not address these concerns more proactively is a slap in the face to the community that helped them build a shiny new stadium. A community that tolerated the team reneging on a promise to build a youth soccer field. A community that loves their football team, but doesn’t love reprehensible behavior.
Every team should be allowed to take chances on players, but it needs to be clear that poor the poor behavior can’t continue. The 49ers give our second, third and fourth chances like candy. They don’t value character the way a professional football team must value discipline in today’s world.
If Jed York is to be one of the “most respected” young executives in the league, as Peter King of The MMQB suggested he is in his column this week, he needs to take the lead on this change. York must set the expectation for his general manager Trent Baalke that this can’t continue.
Baalke must heed his owners demand. Players signed and drafted should have a character that the team can stand behind proudly, at a podium. They should not have the owner releasing text statements to explain the team’s position on the latest off-the-field embarrassment.
