For the last Home game, the 49ers have Fan Appreciation day. As part of the festivities, a contest was held for the fans to explain why they are the best 49er fan. I didn't have a chance to compose and submit my entry, but here is what it would have said:
Why I’m a 49er Faithful
I’m a 49er faithful because the 49ers have been a in my family for 4 generations; all the way back to Kezar Stadium. Every game we would arrive early, and park in the same spot My Grandfather, and my Father would tailgate with people who would become our close friends. Within that time, we watch 5 Superbowl Championship teams.
Then came the York Era.
I’m a 49er Faithful because while the franchise continues to produces sub-standard teams, I come out and watch every home game.
I’m a 49er Faithful because even though we haven’t had a winning season in years, the ticket prices continue to rise and we continue to pay them.
I’m a 49er Faithful because we think that the new stadium will be built, but in reality, it jut keeps being pushed back further and further. Meanwhile, Candlestick becomes older and older, with no money coming in to fix it up. It is quickly becoming a bigger eyesore, with bad drainage and crazy winds.
I’m a 49er faithful because after 30+ years of parking in the same spot, we have been slowly pushed out of our favorite area. First they closed off the route that we always take. Then they take away the gate that we always go through. Then they close off the parking lot we have always used. They turned it into a VIP parking, but of course, parking is expensive enough. No one parks there. Then it becomes overflow parking for all the late comers. Now, instead of our usual spot with the nice incline to drain the rain away, we have to tailgate in the puddles produced by that rain.
I'm a 49er Faithful because the connection that we had to the team of the 80s have been cutoff. Players from that era don’t want to come back and the Yorks won’t welcome them back. The entire Franchise has changed and refuses to look back at what they had and let it motivate them to the future.
In the end, I’m a 49er Faithful because... I’m a 49er Fan, and I want the team to succeed. I just don’t know how much longer my faithfulness can be tested.
