Raheem Mostert, the Miami Dolphins running back who found himself in the middle of a social media-driven squabble with his former team, took to local radio Tuesday to say what he thought he said in the first place.
Mostert, in a two-part interview with NFL reporter Tyler Dunne, was characterized as having disrespected the 49ers’ talent level as well as former teammate Jimmy Garoppolo when compared to Miami quarterback Tua Tagovaiola.
Among the quotes that were isolated and in Mostert’s mind taken out of context were: “We have way more talent here” and that the Dolphins “have a quarterback that can actually sling it.”
In an interview with Greg Papa and F.P. Santangelo on KNBR, Mostert gave his version.
“I can see how that can get misconstrued, to take snippets out of what one person said and alter it in a way that just seems like it’s relevant in that I’m on a different team,” Mostert said. “That’s not what I meant.”
Deebo Samuel even got into the act on Twitter, saying “Raheem be real with yourself.”
If Mostert said some things, didn’t like the way they looked once they wound up in print and then backtracked, he wouldn’t be the first. He went out of his way with Papa as a sympathetic ear to be complimentary about both the 49ers’ level of talent as well as Garoppolo with a trip to the Bay Area approaching when Miami visits Levi’s Stadium Sunday:
On the 49ers’ talent level
“In regards to ‘We have more talent here,” I was speaking in terms of, we have more talent here, at this moment, than what has been here in the past . . . C’mon, I was with the Niners for several years. I know what their talent is, there’s unbelievable talent on both sides of the ball and on special teams. I wasn’t trying to take shots on anyone. “
On Tagovaiola and Garoppolo
“When I was being asked those questions, I was looking at it as what Tua has done and what Tua has dealt with in the past . . . A lot of people are doubting him and his ability, not the fact that Jimmy G can’t sling the rock or anything like that. I would never, ever in a million years talk down on a player specifically, a guy like Jimmy, just because we’ve grown together when I was there. His family is like my family. I’ve been to his brother’s wedding. His sister-in-law and my wife are the best of friends.”
Mostert was not asked about his comments about the 49ers’ pressuring him to return in 2021 rather than have season-ending knee surgery. Mostert opted for the latter, and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan conceded there was a difference of opinion.
“There were all different types of opinions during that,” Shanahan said Monday. “From where we were at, Raheem, his agent, everybody. There are first opinions, second opinions. There are always different opinions on those things.”
Mostert signed with the Dolphins as a free agent, joining head coach and 49ers assistant Mike McDaniel, assistant coaches Wes Welker and Jon Embree. Former 49ers teammates with the Dolphins include running back Jeff Wilson Jr. and wide receivers Trent Sherfield and River Cracraft.
