Advertisement

4 NFL players who quit on their teams midgame, from De'Vondre Campbell to Antonio Brown

charles curtis
·1 min read
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 02: Antonio Brown #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on January 02, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775676619 ORIG FILE ID: 1362451426
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 02: Antonio Brown #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on January 02, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775676619 ORIG FILE ID: 1362451426

It's a rare but wild situation for all involved: a player in the middle of an NFL game suddenly quits on the team and leaves for the locker room.

The head coach is left without words -- or, very strong words -- and teammates are usually irate, and rightfully so.

Well, as of publishing this, it's happened for a fourth documented time, with San Francisco 49ers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell apparently refusing to come back into a game on a Thursday night in Week 15 of the 2024 season. He then headed for the locker room later in the contest.

Who else pulled this move? Let's run through them:

Mike Wallace

Nov 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-180284 ORIG FILE ID: 20141109_lbm_aw3_163.JPG
Nov 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-180284 ORIG FILE ID: 20141109_lbm_aw3_163.JPG

The receiver was with the Dolphins in 2014 and apparently refused to take the field and was benched. Wallace denied it and played more in the NFL beyond that year.

Vontae Davis

Sep 16, 2018; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive back Vontae Davis (22) and defensive back Micah Hyde (23) celebrate making a stop on third down during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-381401 ORIG FILE ID: 20180916_tdc_bk3_044.JPG
Sep 16, 2018; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive back Vontae Davis (22) and defensive back Micah Hyde (23) celebrate making a stop on third down during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-381401 ORIG FILE ID: 20180916_tdc_bk3_044.JPG

The late cornerback pulled himself out of a Buffalo Bills game in 2018 and basically retired right then. It was something teammates talked about after.

Antonio Brown

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) on the field before the game against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) on the field before the game against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium.

In 2022, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout stripped off his top and danced his way off the field against the New York Jets. That was that for the receiver with the Bucs and in the NFL.

De'Vondre Campbell

.
.

The Niners linebacker refused to go into the game against the Rams and left for the locker room in the fourth quarter.

More NFL!

The De'Vondre Campbell drama, explained: Everything we know about 49ers LB apparently quitting

A Bengals blowout, fading Anthony Richardson in thin air and the best NFL bets of Week 15

The Bears forced Caleb Williams to contemplate losing for the first time in his career

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 4 NFL players who quit on their teams midgame, from De'Vondre Campbell to Antonio Brown