Jerry Rice: 49ers Should Bench McDonald

Hall of Fame legend says team is getting it wrong

If Jim Harbaugh won't listen to the court of public opinion, to elected officials and to fans, will he listen to Jerry Rice?

Rice has joined the chorus of voices saying that the 49ers should bench Ray McDonald, the defensive lineman who is being investigated for domestic violence, according to ESPN.

In the light of other ugly domestic violence incidents in the NFL such as the Ray Rice scandal, the 49ers have dug in and "decided to let him play, and that's unfortunate," Rice told ESPN on Thursday.

"I would have totally just taken him off the field until it was resolved," the legend said.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have both said that McDonald, who has yet to be charged with a crime, ought to sit out while the investigation is pending.

Meanwhile, 49ers head coach Harbaugh has declined to bench McDonald.

Thursday night, McDonald had no comment when NBC Bay Area asked for a reaction to a new report released by San Jose police about another incident involving the 49ers defensive tackle, a "female subject," and a registered firearm.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us