Former 49ers safety Donte Whitner had some harsh words for Ji’Ayir Brown

Takes mentioned in this episode

• Ji'Ayir Brown player · negative

  “Ji’Ayir fcking Brown calling me on the phone, trying to check me, telling me I can’t talk bad about him when he has a bad play.”

  Whitner criticizes Brown's reaction to criticism.

• San Francisco 49ers team · neutral

  “To say former San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner has some takes is an understatement.”

  Team affiliation of Whitner and Brown.

• Donte Whitner player · negative

  “To say former San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner has some takes is an understatement.”

  The speaker discusses the controversial and potentially outlandish opinions of former player Donte Whit.ner

• Donte Whitner player · negative

  “To say former San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner has some takes is an understatement.”

  Characterized as having outlandish or off-the-wall takes despite his playing experience

• Ji'Ayir Brown player · negative

  “Ji'Ayir fcking Brown calling me on the phone, trying to check me, telling me I can't talk bad about him when he has a bad play. He called me and Richard Sherman on the phone, saying that he used to respect us and that we're not keeping it G because we told the truth about his deficiencies. Ain't that some bullsht? You fcking know that you played like sht last year.”

  Whitner criticizes Brown's defensive performance and accuses him of being delusional about his abilities

• Donte Whitner player · negative

  “To say former San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner has some takes is an understatement.”

  The speaker discusses the outlandish nature of Whitner's opinions and criticisms.

• Ji'Ayir Brown player · negative

  “Brown is far from a fan favorite in 49ers land. Calling him a bad player feels hollow. We give plenty of other players on defense grace for playing without a pass rush. We're not going to tell you Brown is Ronnie Lott, or even Whitner. While there are limitations, there are enough positive plays throughout a game to warrant a starting spot.”

  Mixed assessment: not a fan favorite, but has enough positive plays to warrant starting; limitations acknowledged

• Donte Whitner player · neutral

  “To say former San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner has some takes is an understatement.”

  Whitner is a former player with strong opinions.

• Kayvon Thibodeaux player · neutral

  “Whitner’s comp for rookie Romello Height is Kayvon Thibodeaux.”

  Player used as comparison.

• Richard Sherman player · neutral

  “He called me and Richard Sherman on the phone, saying that he used to respect us and that we’re not keeping it G because we told the truth about his deficiencies.”

  Brown called Whitner and Sherman.

• Ronnie Lott player · neutral

  “We’re not going to tell you Brown is Ronnie Lott, or even Whitner.”

  Comparison to great safeties.

• Ji'Ayir Brown player · neutral

  “Brown allowed the lowest yards per target in his career, had the most tackles for loss, as well as the lowest completion percentage allowed last season. Missed tackles were still problematic, as was not being able to thrive in multiple spots.”

  Statistical recap of 2024 season performance with mixed results

• Romello Height player · neutral

  “Whitner's comp for rookie Romello Height is Kayvon Thibodeaux.”

  Mentioned as receiving a player comparison; no sentiment expressed

• Richard Sherman player · neutral

  “He called me and Richard Sherman on the phone, saying that he used to respect us and that we're not keeping it G because we told the truth about his deficiencies.”

  Mentioned as receiving a call from Brown regarding criticism; no direct sentiment about Sherman

• Ronnie Lott player · neutral

  “We're not going to tell you Brown is Ronnie Lott, or even Whitner.”

  Used as a baseline comparison for elite safety play

• Kayvon Thibodeaux player · neutral

  “Whitner's comp for rookie Romello Height is Kayvon Thibodeaux. It can't be stylistically, because there's about a 15-pound difference. The playing style couldn't be any more different.”

  Used as a comparison baseline; the comparison is criticized as inaccurate

• Romello Height player · neutral

  “Whitner’s comp for rookie Romello Height is Kayvon Thibodeaux.”

  Comparison made by Whitner.

• San Francisco 49ers team · neutral

  “For the longest time, fans of the game wanted to hear from former athletes. After all, they played, so their opinions should matter. Then, you turn on the TV and see that these athletes, despite their experience, often say something equally as outlandish or off the wall as any other analyst.To say former San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner has some takes is an understatement. Whitner’s comp for rookie Romello Height is Kayvon Thibodeaux. It can’t be stylistically, because there’s about a 15-pound difference. The playing style couldn’t be any more different.On Tuesday, Whitner spoke about safety, Ji’Ayir Brown:Ji’Ayir fcking Brown calling me on the phone, trying to check me, telling me I can’t talk bad about him when he has a bad play. He called me and Richard Sherman on the phone, saying that he used to respect us and that we’re not keeping it G because we told the truth about his deficiencies. Ain’t that some bullsht? You fcking know that you played like sht last year. I had to step back and collect myself, and I’m thinking, ‘Whitner. Growth. Growth.’”Brown is far from a fan favorite in 49ers land. Calling him a bad player feels hollow. We give plenty of other players on defense grace for playing without a pass rush. We’re not going to tell you Brown is Ronnie Lott, or even Whitner. While there are limitations, there are enough positive plays throughout a game to warrant a starting spot.Whitner continued: “I said, ‘Ji’Ayir, honestly, do you feel like you played like a top safety last year?’ He said, ‘Yeah.’ I said, So you felt like you should have made the Pro Bowl last year?’ He was like, ‘Yeah.’ In that moment, I knew that the kid was just f*cking delusional.”Brown allowed the lowest yards per target in his career, had the most tackles for loss, as well as the lowest completion percentage allowed last season. Missed tackles were still problematic, as was not being able to thrive in multiple spots.With that said, it feels like we are missing a lot of context from this conversation. Here’s more from Whitner:If you play like sht and I analyze it, I’m going to continue to analyze it that way. When you play well, I’m not going to be biased. I’m going to give you all the praise in the world. When you play like sht, I’m going to tell you that you played like sh*t. And guess what? I made three Pro Bowls at your position. I’m considered an expert. I have the right to criticize and analyze your game, buddy. So when you don’t perform up to standard, I’m going to speak on it. But if you listen to Hitner, who’s an expert at your position, you will be better.Now we’re at the point where Whitner is talking down to Brown. That’s where the line should be drawn. Again, several Pro Bowlers on TV share their opinions, and we see how those turn out. That’s not to say Whitner is incorrect. He told Ji’Ayir where he can improve:“You have to get better in the deep half, in the middle of the field. You have to get better at pre-snap communication and reading formations. In Cover 2, you have to read your No. 1s. You have to keep a proximity of 15 yards deep, 2 yards inside the inside shoulder of the No. 1 wide receiver [and] you have to keep pace and pedal with urgency.“You have to have knee bend [and] you have to read out of your peripheral vision what the quarterback is doing; you have to be ready to break efficiently at certain angles. That makes you a professional. That makes you an expert at your position.”That’s just coachspeak. Nothing really specific. He’s just telling Brown where and how to line up and where his eyes/keys are. That’s why most of this feels empty. Whitner wants Brown to improve, but isn’t highlighting anything from the 2025 season. Instead, it’s empty platitudes that don’t help the player.”

  For the longest time, fans of the game wanted to hear from former athletes. After all, they played, so their opinions should matter. Then, you turn on the TV and see that these athletes, despite their experience, often say something equally as outlandish or off the wall as any other analyst.To say former San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner has some takes is an understatement. Whitner’s comp for rookie Romello Height is Kayvon Thibodeaux. It can’t be stylistically, because there’s about a 15-pound difference. The playing style couldn’t be any more different.On Tuesday, Whitner spoke about safety, Ji’Ayir Brown:Ji’Ayir fcking Brown calling me on the phone, trying to check me, telling me I can’t talk bad about him when he has a bad play. He called me and Richard Sherman on the phone, saying that he used to respect us and that we’re not keeping it G because we told the truth about his deficiencies. Ain’t that some bullsht? You fcking know that you played like sht last year. I had to step back and collect myself, and I’m thinking, ‘Whitner. Growth. Growth.’”Brown is far from a fan favorite in 49ers land. Calling him a bad player feels hollow. We give plenty of other players on defense grace for playing without a pass rush. We’re not going to tell you Brown is Ronnie Lott, or even Whitner. While there are limitations, there are enough positive plays throughout a game to warrant a starting spot.Whitner continued: “I said, ‘Ji’Ayir, honestly, do you feel like you played like a top safety last year?’ He said, ‘Yeah.’ I said, So you felt like you should have made the Pro Bowl last year?’ He was like, ‘Yeah.’ In that moment, I knew that the kid was just f*cking delusional.”Brown allowed the lowest yards per target in his career, had the most tackles for loss, as well as the lowest completion percentage allowed last season. Missed tackles were still problematic, as was not being able to thrive in multiple spots.With that said, it feels like we are missing a lot of context from this conversation. Here’s more from Whitner:If you play like sht and I analyze it, I’m going to continue to analyze it that way. When you play well, I’m not going to be biased. I’m going to give you all the praise in the world. When you play like sht, I’m going to tell you that you played like sh*t. And guess what? I made three Pro Bowls at your position. I’m considered an expert. I have the right to criticize and analyze your game, buddy. So when you don’t perform up to standard, I’m going to speak on it. But if you listen to Hitner, who’s an expert at your position, you will be better.Now we’re at the point where Whitner is talking down to Brown. That’s where the line should be drawn. Again, several Pro Bowlers on TV share their opinions, and we see how those turn out. That’s not to say Whitner is incorrect. He told Ji’Ayir where he can improve:“You have to get better in the deep half, in the middle of the field. You have to get better at pre-snap communication and reading formations. In Cover 2, you have to read your No. 1s. You have to keep a proximity of 15 yards deep, 2 yards inside the inside shoulder of the No. 1 wide receiver [and] you have to keep pace and pedal with urgency.“You have to have knee bend [and] you have to read out of your peripheral vision what the quarterback is doing; you have to be ready to break efficiently at certain angles. That makes you a professional. That makes you an expert at your position.”That’s just coachspeak. Nothing really specific. He’s just telling Brown where and how to line up and where his eyes/keys are. That’s why most of this feels empty. Whitner wants Brown to improve, but isn’t highlighting anything from the 2025 season. Instead, it’s empty platitudes that don’t help the player.