4 NFL Players Who Abandoned Their Team Mid-Game, From De’Vondre Campbell to Antonio Brown

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 02: Antonio Brown #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up before 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 crazy situation for everyone involved: a player in the middle of an NFL game suddenly leaves the team and heads to the locker room.

The head coach is left at a loss for words – or very strong words – and his teammates are generally angry, and rightfully so.

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

Who else made this decision? Let’s review them:

Mike Wallace

November 9, 2014; Detroit, Michigan, United States; 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 this year.

Vontae Davis

September 16, 2018; Orchard Park, New York, United States; Buffalo Bills defensive back Vontae Davis (22) and defensive back Micah Hyde (23) celebrate a third down stop 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 out of a Buffalo Bills game in 2018 and was all but retired at that point. It was something teammates talked about afterward.

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.

In 2022, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers forward took off his top and danced off the field against the New York Jets. That was it for the Bucs and NFL wide receiver.

De’Vondre Campbell

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

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This article originally appeared on For The Win: 4 NFL Players Who Quit Their Team Mid-Game, From De’Vondre Campbell to Antonio Brown