The San Francisco 49ers made a difficult decision on Wednesday by releasing defensive tackle Arik Armstead, a move that deeply affected his now-former teammates.
Star wide receiver Deebo Samuel took to Instagram to express his feelings about the team’s decision, using six facepalm emoticons in a story post. Samuel’s reaction made it clear that he was disappointed to see Armstead depart. The two players had been teammates for five NFL seasons in San Francisco, sharing the field in two Super Bowls and four NFC Championship Games.
Armstead held the distinction of being the longest-tenured player on the 49ers roster, having spent nine years with the team since they drafted him from Oregon with the 17th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Now entering free agency, Armstead is regarded as one of the premier remaining defensive targets after declining a significant pay cut from his scheduled $17.41 million salary.
Beyond his contributions on the field, Armstead’s impact on the 49ers and the Northern California community has been profound. He raised $2 million in donations for youth programs in Sacramento and the Bay Area through his Armstead Academic Project and was nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for four consecutive seasons.
While change is an inevitable part of the game, Samuel, who recently switched his jersey number from 19 to one, will undoubtedly miss having Armstead as a teammate, but he recognizes that adjustments must be made as the team evolves.
