If you could have dinner with any living 49er who would it be?

by StrictlyFootball on Jul 10, 2008 4:21 AM PDT Comment 32 comments

Alright it's late and I will probably make many grammar/spelling mistakes but I thought I would bring up a question. This question is a take on the question the radio hosts Mike and Mike proposed earlier today. "If you could have dinner with any living person in sports who would it be?" I suppose I could just leave it at that but I'm going to branch it off into 3 "49er" related questions. 1. Dinner with a current 49er 2. Dinner with a living 49er 3. Dinner with a deceased 49er. Also don't forget to take into account what restaurant or what type of dinner you would have with them.

1. Dinner with a current 49er... Defensive Coordinator Greg Manusky, eating at Everett & Jones, in Jack London Square. I don't know why but I have always been more infatuated with the defense than the offense and I think Manusky is very knowledgeable and he seems to be a vocal guy so you know it won't be a quiet dinner. It was tough choosing between Manusky and Singletary, but Manusky actually stopped and talked to a group of us at last years training camp for a good 10 minutes after practice, and I could never get Singletary to sign my ball or even head over to us despite going to 3 different practices. I chose Everett & Jones because Manusky is a former line backer, so I know he'll love himself some ribs and fixens, and anybody who knows a thing about great ribs in the Bay Area, knows Everett & Jones has the best.

2. Dinner with a living 49er... QB Joe Montana at Benihana. I mean Joe Cool is the man and he was the best QB, period. He is my all time favorite player so I gotta chose him. I don't know what else I can say about Joe Cool without it sounding too much like a man-crush. I think Benihana because I think Joe would appreciate a show and the food is always top notch.

3. Dinner with a deceased 49er... Innovator of the west coast offense, three time winning Superbowl coach, and the best eye for talent who ever lived, the man himself, Bill Walsh! (at my Nonna's house for dinner) Bill Walsh was the greatest coach of all time who could have coached for longer if his genius was recognized earlier. He has made legends not only of players but of coaches as well. Bill Walsh can be considered the grandfather of coaches as he has breathed life into the careers of 31 different head coaches. He was the god of football and knew everything about a game days before it would even start. As such a man like him deserves the best food on Earth, my Nonna's cooking. Authentic Italian food made entirely from scratch, Molto Bene! Bill Walsh will forever be enshrined as a legendary figure not just in football, but in all sports. Rest in peace Bill.

Anyways, those are my three feel free to submit who you would go to dinner with as well.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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It Would Be With...

Before I even start, with my dinner bib in place, knife and fork polished and shining, wine glass glistening, I admire your choices of restaurants- Benihana and Everett & Jones. You have good taste! Here’s 5 stars for your restaurant quality. Have you thought about becoming a food critic? Oops, the cat is out of the bag!

Dinner with a current 49er: I’d have to go with Isaac Sopoaga! I am an islander, like he is, and I can identify with his polynesian culture. I can just be myself, wear shorts with a real homeade tailored hawaiian shirt (fabric/pattern of my choice) and wear an authentic puka shell necklace (not those fake ones sold at the mall), and my shell bracelet, and give Sopoaga my hang loose sign all night long with each sip of Mai Tais. I would take him to my favorite polynesian style restaurant…ready…if you are salivating, just wipe it up, okay? TRADER VICS!! Website link for Trader Vics is www.tradervicspaloalto.com. It’s a must.

Dinner with a Living 49er: I’d have to go with Joel Cool, in none other but Napa’s finest winery restaurant. I’d take him to Meadowood Napa Valley restaurant where honey is from their hives and olives from their own orchard. Joe Cool knows Napa. He knows wine. He knows cheese. And, he knows 49er football! What I’d bring: 1. A football and picture for him to sign 2. A napkin to discuss the X & O’s that made him so successful. 3. Joe Cool’s favorite bottle of wine, hopefully if it isn’t a $200 bottle. I’d be dressed in Levi’s and a Polo Shirt for the ocassion.

Dinner with a deceased 49er: It has to be Bill Walsh. I grew up a few blocks from Stanford, and watched many Stanford games while Walsh was head coach in the 70’s era. I grew up watching Walsh’s brilliance all the way, from Stanford to the 49ers, and back to Stanford. I would go to Cafe Fino’s an Italian restaurant in Palo Alto, and sit where it is quiet with candles brimming, and take a moment of silence before I eat my meal. I would invite a friend who is also a fan of Walsh and reminisce over his legendary coaching. I would bring a book about Walsh and recite some passages from the book. I might invite Eddie DeBartolo, too.

And of course, I would eat slowly. I miss Bill Walsh. Nolan is nice in his suit and tie, but nobody comes close to Walsh.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 10, 2008 9:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

as a native Napan

I gotta say you really really blew it with Meadowood. Nothing against it but its not even among the top 10- Cole’s Chop House, Bistro Don Giovani, Rutherford Grill, The Farm, Brix, and of course Taylor’s Refresher are all far superior choices.

by sam23 on Jul 11, 2008 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You see...

I wanted a more obsolete place where people would leave us alone..don’t want too many gawkers at the top 10 Napa eateries. Wise, huh?

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 11, 2008 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not really

youll get more gawkers at Meadowood than you would at any of the places I mentioned!

by sam23 on Jul 11, 2008 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is how it works:

The more well known and reputed eateries have “moles” inside these places where they watch for celebrities and tip off to paparazzi, where they come to photograph and gawk at celebrities, who come and go at these places.

Whereas, at these obsolete, inoblivious places like Meadowood where food quality is still good, there are no informers who tip off paparazzi that these famous celebrities are there. It’s more relatively quiet. Meadowood appreciates and feels honored there are celebrities, and therefore, keep mum.

Get the drift?

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 12, 2008 8:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea but

thats not true at all. Trust me, Meadowood is a tourist hub and a celebrity or sports icon is much much more likely to be hounded at there than at almost any of the places I mentioned.

by sam23 on Jul 12, 2008 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm impressed

You’ve put a lot of thought into your imaginary date with Joe.

by methodrampage on Jul 13, 2008 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Joe Cool

used to be a spokesmen for Levi’s which was why I said I would wear Levi’s but obviously nobody picked up on that.. Joe used to live in Napa (maybe he still does) which is why I got into this story about Meadowood wine and dining. He’s a wine connoisseur like I am, too.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 13, 2008 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

dinners

Current 49er: Joe Staley at The House of Prime Rib – I’m convinced I could eat him under the table (I’ve got a big appetite for an averaged size guy) and I’m curious what it would be like hanging out with an offensive lineman.

Living 49er: Steve Young – From what I’ve read he’s a really smart guy and I bet the dinner conversation would be really interesting. Not really sure where at though

Deceased 49er: Bill Walsh – This is kind of a standard answer as I can’t think of any other deceased 49ers off the top of my head. And of course learning about the West Coast offense would certainly be interesting.

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by Fooch on Jul 10, 2008 2:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Current Niner – Patrick Willis – Bamm Bamm is the future…haha not much more to say on that one.

Living Niner – Bryant Young – It would be an honor to have dinner with in my opinion one of the classiest and greatest Niners of all time. I’m sure BY would also have a million and one great stories to tell….

Deceased Niner – Bill Walsh – BW the obvious answer, I mean how cool would it be to hear about the West Coast Offense from the innovator himself?

by 49erLou on Jul 10, 2008 7:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

great picks

choosing between BY and Young would be tough.

by sam23 on Jul 11, 2008 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Current Niner – Patrick “Bam Bam” Willis/ Issac Sopoaga – Young guys willing to have drinks, stay out and get at some fine girls from the Bay.

Living Niner – Steve Young – Hall of Fame QB w/ the heart of a lion and smarts of a coach… the reason why I played QB in high school.

Deceased Niner – Bill Walsh – It be great to sit and talk about how he developed the west coast offense and reminisce on the glory days… maybe even talk about how to fix the current situation. I hear he’s a great storyteller so it would be a honor. -

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Jul 11, 2008 2:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Mike Robinson

Jerry Rice

Alex Smith….....oh wait hes not dead yet, just plays like it sometimes

Ellis to the rim!

by Sprewell4President on Jul 12, 2008 1:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ha

why robinson though? 3rd sting RB is a bit of an obscure pick. You may as well have gone with Dexter Carter and Mike Dukes as your next two picks.

by sam23 on Jul 13, 2008 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

StrictlyFootball

You are spooking me out a little bit- because in your post, you said that if you had dinner with Joe Cool, a living 49er, “you would take him to Benihana’s,” and guess what?

The owner and founder of Benihana’s, Rocky Aoki, died just last thursday from complications of pneumonia. I just found out today.

Are you a clairvoyant or just a spook?

And you wrote this post on July 10th, the same day the Benihana founder died.

Or you just have a morbid sense of humor.

With our Joe Cool.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 13, 2008 11:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

you're weird

when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??

by diehardkingsfan5 on Jul 14, 2008 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Reading out of Context

You think I am weird because you’re not reading in context at all. You’re reading out of context. Read StrictlyFootball’s post and see where he mentions taking Joe Cool to Benihana’s and then read where I say that it spooked me because the owner/founder of Benihana’s died the same day StrictlyFootball posted this article.

Why is it so weird being spooked by a sheer coincidence?

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 14, 2008 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read everything...

Which is why I called you weird. ANC having read this last comment, I think you’re even weirder.

when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??

by diehardkingsfan5 on Jul 15, 2008 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

shit that was supposed to be and

when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??

by diehardkingsfan5 on Jul 15, 2008 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So..

What do you make of the coincidence that this post was online the same day the Benihana’s founder died, having his restaurant mentioned the same day?

Sheer coincidence followed by weird comments that merely took note of it?

Or I am extrasensorily, er I mean, extraordinarily perceptive.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 15, 2008 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't honestly care

about any of that benihanas nonsense (not saying anything bad about the owners death though, that’s unfortunate). The fact that you know all of that and that you brought it up caused me to call you weird.

And I (once again) have know idea what you’re saying in that last line.

when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??

by diehardkingsfan5 on Jul 15, 2008 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How I know..

I read just about everything in the internet. I honestly don’t care about people’s opinions. I am just a colorful character who will bring an oddity to any website to keep the balance.

You’re a Sacramento Kings fan? In a 49er fan website?

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 15, 2008 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

then is it true that 95% of the internet is porn?

"everything was beautiful and nothing hurt"

by richmond02 on Jul 15, 2008 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, what an offhand question

I don’t go into porn sites as there are in the internet, but you can access just about 100% of everything that you can think of in the internet, that’s why there is a cyber crime division in police departments, which is a new department since the internet revolution.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 15, 2008 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know, but 95% of my google image searching certainly ends up being.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 16, 2008 2:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what does my name have to do with anything?

I became a member of SactownRoyalty before NinersNation which is why I have that name.

And by the way, two different sports, so I don’t really know what your trying to diss on me about. It’s not like I’m a Raider fan who jumped ship for a coke.

when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??

by diehardkingsfan5 on Jul 15, 2008 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read just about everything in the internet.

LOL. You didn’t happen to also invent the internet with Al Gore did you?

by methodrampage on Jul 16, 2008 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I did..

invent the internet with A l Gore, I would be filthy rich, I wouldn’t even write fanposts on NinersNations- but I would be hobnobbing with Eddie DeBartolo and the Alumni who are Super Bowl champions, with Keena Turner, Guy McIntyre, the entire 2008 49ers roster, the Yorks, and Mike Nolan, even Donald Trump as an occassional guest, on the condition he brings the gold plated ice cream dessert.

Nice daydreaming, though. Thanks for asking the question. I had fun right there!

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 16, 2008 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Dinner

Let me first say that I would have my dinner with all 3 at the same time. I don’t care where it’s at.

Current: Alex Smith
Living: Steve Young
Deceased: Bill Walsh

I’m having dinner with all three so that in the course of our discussion, Young and Walsh can inpart some wisdom on Mr. Smith. See, Young and Walsh are a given, not even much of a second thought. (Rice would be in the discussion, but I’ve met him and got to chat with him a bit on a golf course in Tahoe) The big question for me was who my current Niner would be. I’ve got a budding man-crush on Willis, but decided I’d bring in Smith for the good of the team.

Never forget: I am a complete idiot

by Exhibit G on Jul 14, 2008 12:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bravo!!

I thought about this situation but decided to go to dinner 3 times instead, call me a fat ass. Cheers to you Exhibit, Ill be the guy on the nearby table ear hustling your conversation as I take a bite.

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Jul 16, 2008 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Spreewell4President

I think he chose Michael Robinson because of the swagger element – he seems to be the coolest cat on the team. I’d go with M-Rob, Arnaz Battle or Patrick Willis

Alu mohe!

by Fana Chimes on Jul 14, 2008 4:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs