Garoppolo embraces criticism: 'I hear all the stuff'

The San Francisco 49ers are in the Super Bowl, yet the public seems to be questioning the abilities of starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Niners advanced to the Super Bowl on the strength of their running game and stout defense. Garoppolo only attempted eight passes during the NFC Championship victory over the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.

Now, entering a matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs for the Lombardi Trophy, many are pointing at Garoppolo as the 49ers' weak link.

"Everyone has different ways to get motivated, and very similar to Sherm, I do the same thing," the quarterback said, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner.

"I hear all the stuff and everything, but you can't put that all out there all the time. You have to do with it what you will and take it for what it is. Just at the end of the day, you've got to go out there and play football."

Garoppolo responded well to criticism earlier this season. Following a Week 13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in which he threw for just 165 yards, he went off for 349 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-46 win over the New Orleans Saints.

The quarterback's teammates can't seem to understand why some are doubting Garoppolo's abilities after their run-heavy output against the Packers.

"That's wild that he takes criticism for that," 49ers tackle Joe Staley said. "We won the game. We were doing what we needed to do to win the game, and that's the main point of an NFL football game. I think he would be pretty sad if he threw 450 and we lost, so it doesn't really matter."

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