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49ers' Javon Kinlaw Tells Reporter Grant Cohn 'Stop F--king Playing with Me' on Video
May 25, 2022
San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw launched a profanity-laced tirade at reporter Grant Cohn on Tuesday night after an interaction at practice earlier in the day.
Cohn, who writes for Sports Illustrated's All 49ers blog, detailed a confrontation during the OTA session where the Niners player allegedly knocked the hat off his head:
Later in the day, Kinlaw jumped on a video call with Cohn, where he questioned his reporting style and went off on an expletive-filled response that included telling Cohn to "stop f--king playing with me" (warning: strong language):
The reporter posted a message on Twitter after the exchange, saying he felt threatened:
Neither Kinlaw nor the 49ers have since commented on the matter, but George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, among others, posted messages on social media:
Kittle:
"It's crazy to me that someone who is allowed into our building has the mindset/goal to antagonize and iratate players with their endgame of being this. I thought players and reporters were supposed to work together.
"Being in this building, let alone this league, is an opportunity, it's not a right. People get really comfortable typing behind a screen!
"everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but continuing to go after a player habitually seems like someone who's goal isn't to report or write a story."
Kinlaw, 24, was a standout defender at the University of South Carolina before being selected by the Niners in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.
He enjoyed a solid rookie season, tallying 33 total tackles, four passes defended and 1.5 sacks, but saw his role reduced early last year before landing on injured reserve in October with a knee injury.
Kinlaw is facing an important offseason and training camp as he attempts to regain a starting role along the San Francisco defensive line.