Kwon Alexander ejected for hit on Jameis Winston, then he got the game ball

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Kwon Alexander was justifiably ejected during Sunday’s game after he blasted Jameis Winston late with a helmet-to-helmet hit.

Normally you’d expect a player who got ejected to receive some straight talk about shaping up in the future. After the 49ers won the game, however, Alexander received the game ball instead.

Inside the #49ers locker room, former #Bucs linebacker Kwon Alexander was given the game ball. Alexander was ejected in the first quarter for an illegal hit on Winston. Kyle Shanahan knew his return was important to him and there was a lot of emotion heading into the game.
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) September 8, 2019

That’s quite a message of support from the head coach. One wonders how Winston and the Bucs might feel about it, though.

Alexander started his career in Tampa Bay and joined the 49ers in free agency this past spring. He was having a dynamic impact on the game before his ejection, and figures to be a huge part of San Francisco’s front seven the rest of the season.