SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Ahmad Brooks insisted Wednesday he did not quit on the 49ers while sitting out the final three quarters of Sunday’s win over the New York Giants, a benching he attributed to a sideline exchange with defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.
Coach Jim Harbaugh said Brooks’ actions were not tantamount to insubordination and that the 49ers still had trust in the outside linebacker who’s started every game since 2011. However, Brooks confirmed that he was fined by the team, and although he wouldn’t give the specific amount, it’s believed to be about $10,000 rather than a game check of $50,294.
“It was an emotional reaction during the game. I reacted out of my character,” Brooks said. “I did not quit on the team. I did not take myself out of the game.
“But words that were said by me, obviously, couldn’t be taken back, so they decided to not just put me back in for the remainder of the game.”
Brooks later said those words were directed at Tomsula during the second quarter, once Aldon Smith replaced Brooks in Smith’s first action of the season after a nine-game suspension. Tomsula declined comment after the game. Brooks said he apologized to the defensive line coach on Sunday’s flight home.
“I said my apologies to the team and we’re moving forward,” Brooks said. “We have six games left. We still have the team to make it to the Super Bowl. We still are capable of making the playoffs. That’s where our focus is as a team now. We don’t want to focus on the distractions.
“We’ve had several distractions this year. You know what I mean? I can’t be a distraction, especially by me being a veteran.”
Harbaugh attributed Brooks’ actions — or lack thereof — to the “emotions” of getting pulled from the game.
“I trust in Ahmad Brooks, I believe in Ahmad Brooks and he will make vital contributions to this team,” Harbaugh said. “Nobody has answered the bell more than Ahmad Brooks has on this team.”
Brooks said Tomsula accepted his apology on the plane home; Brooks wouldn’t reveal what words he said on the sideline. Harbaugh said of the incident: “It’s not insubordination.”
After playing the first two series, Brooks retreated to the sideline while Smith lined up at right outside linebacker and rookie Aaron Lynch did so on the left side. Lynch played 66 of 70 snaps, Smith 54 and Brooks only 12.
Will Brooks start his 59th consecutive regular-season game Sunday against his hometown team, Washington?
“I’m expecting to play,” Brooks replied. “We never discuss our schemes or rotations. Whether I’m starting or not, it really doesn’t matter. As long as I’m out there playing, that’s all that really matters.”
He likely won’t be playing all the time, however, not with Lynch and Smith both available. Could last week’s “emotional” benching happen again?
“I’m going to hope and pray it doesn’t ever happen again,” Brooks said. “I don’t want to feel like I’m second to anybody. If it were to happen again, I’ll keep my mouth shut and not say anything.”
Brooks is midway through a six-year, $40 million contract that carries astronomical base salaries over $6 million each of the final three years. Those figures could make him expendable. Brooks saw a Nov. 2 report that the Cleveland Browns nearly traded for him, and he shrugged off a potential exit.
“Even though I signed a six-year deal, it’s really a one-year deal for us all,” Brooks said. “Somebody can get injured. Somebody can have a bad year. Somebody can just step up and play great, you know what I mean; could be a rookie, could be a third-year guy, somebody just picked up off the street.
“Trade rumors are trade rumors. Hear them every day. Hopefully I don’t get traded. Hopefully I don’t leave. I don’t plan on doing that. I’ve just got to make Ahmad Brooks better.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
