San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw was given a one-game suspension for head-butting Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV without a helmet in Sunday's 32-29 Week 5 win. Greenlaw plans to appeal the NFL's suspension decision, however, his past history suggests he won't win the appeal.
In his latest column for The San Francisco Chronicle, Eric Branch recalls when the 29-year-old was suspended for one game last season when he was with the Denver Broncos. There was an incident where Greenlaw chased after and yelled at a referee, allegedly threatening the official. Additionally, this is the third time in his career being ejected from a game, and he has numerous unnecessary roughness and personal-foul facemask calls throughout his career.
“Greenlaw was suspended for one game last year for chasing and verbally threatening a referee, and his history figures to decrease his chances of winning an appeal,” Branch wrote… “Greenlaw has eight career unnecessary roughness penalties and four personal-foul facemask penalties in 77 games.
“He was ejected from a game in 2023 for making contact with an Eagles staffer on the sideline,” Branch continued. “He was ejected in 2022 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.”
Article Continues BelowDre Greenlaw is a rather fiery player, as he was heard telling Broncos head coach Sean Payton to “get the f*** off the field” shortly after the 49ers defeated Denver 24-14 in Week 4. Greenlaw also called Payton a “coward” after releasing him from the Broncos as his reasoning for being so up front with Payton immediately after the game.
For now, Greenlaw is to be suspended for San Francisco's Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders on “Monday Night Football.” The league will look over his appeal in the coming days before announcing an official decision.