San Francisco 49ers Tackle Told Ref He Was ‘Terrible’

By Cory Buck | Dec 22, 2014

December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers defensive end Corey Liuget (94) scores a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) during the third quarter at Levi /

San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley reportedly told a referee he was terrible after the San Diego Chargers recovered a fumble over Staley’s sprawled body.

Somewhere in the middle of their Saturday night collapse against the San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley stood up to a referee and said what many fans have wanted to say at one point or another. Unfortunately, that venting of frustration cost Staley and the Niners a 15-yard penalty in what was ultimately a losing effort.

More from NFL

“I told the ref he was terrible at his job,” Staley said, per ESPN. He quickly noted thereafter that he was paraphrasing. Well, hey, let’s just pretend that’s what you said for the sake of discussion.

Colin Kaepernick was stripped of the football in his own end in the third quarter, which prompted Staley to battle a few Chargers players, primarily Corey Liuget, for the ball in the end zone. The refs ruled a Chargers touchdown to pull within one touchdown. San Diego won the game 38-35 in overtime.

Staley said, “I had my hands on it, but their guy fell on it and I was trying to pull it out.”

The funny thing after all that? Staley was actually flagged on the play for illegal formation. It seems the refs knew what they were doing at least in that regard.

More from FanSided