Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
AROUND THE SHIELD — Aaron Rodgers was having his way on Thursday Night Football.
Down several Packers starters — including former BYU running back Jamaal Williams — the future Hall of Fame quarterback sliced up San Francisco en route to a 34-17 win Thursday.
But Rodgers, who completed 25-of-31 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns, didn't feel like he was the best player on the field. Maybe on his team — but the Cal product gave credit to a former BYU standout Fred Warner, instead.
"It was good for us," Rodgers told Fox Sports sideline reporter Erin Andrews. "It was a different game. They're obviously depleted on both sides of the ball. They've had probably one of the worst injury years I've seen in a long time. So, it's not the same football team that we saw twice last year. But they still have possibly the best middle linebacker in the game, and a lot of pride, and we went out and executed the way we expected to."
Warner was credited with a game-high 13 tackles, including nine solo stops and a tackle for loss, in the 49ers' loss, which dropped the NFC West squad to 4-5 on the year. But in a season where the Niners have been hit by injuries week after week — quarterback Jimmy Garrapolo left the 49ers' Week 8 loss to the Seahawks with a high-ankle sprain, for example — Rodgers was quick to dish out praise to Warner.
The praise came both in public and in private for the second-year linebacker and defensive leader of the reigning NFC champions.
"I'm happy for you man, I really mean that," Rodgers told Warner after the game, a moment that was caught on film after the team wired the linebacker for an all-access feature published Friday. "Unfortunately, name recognition means too much. Ain't nobody better. There really isn't. You're the best and everybody knows it. The field don't lie. You should be All-Pro."
Warner ranks fourth among NFL linebackers with 74 tackles, adding two interceptions, three passes defended, three quarterback hits and four tackles for loss in the first nine weeks of the season. He also ranks second in the NFL middle linebackers in coverage grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
Of course, Warner insists he's not even the best Warner to play football. The ever-modest older brother gives that honor to his sibling Troy, a senior safety on this year's BYU team.
"I could talk all day on Troy," Fred Warner said after the Niner's loss to Seattle. "He's been having a great senior year over at BYU, and he's the more talented brother in the family when it comes to football. I'm excited to see how he finishes out his season, and going to the next level.
"The sky's the limit for him."
Maybe instead of one "All-Pro Fred," the Niners would be interested in two "All-Pro Warners."
