Personal Memories or Interactions with 49ers?

by VD cant be Contained on May 18, 2009 1:22 PM PDT Comment 10 comments

The mention of Michael Carter in the Golden Nuggets this morning brought back memories, so I decided to turn this into a fan post. Big Mike used to live across the street from my parents house in Milpitas, so growing up when I was a kid I used to see him and his family all the time. He was fairly quiet and reserved, but two memories do stand out: him and Bill Romanowski (he lived a few blocks away from us) used to work on Romo's classic truck late at night sometimes, so it was kind of surreal watching them in the garage from my room. Also, once after Sunday niner win my buddies and I were tossing the football around on the street, and Michael Carter and his wife come back from the game, with Mike carrying about 8-10 bags of taco bell...homeboy mustve been hungry after that win.

Other than that, Ive had the pleasure of meeting Jerry Rice and VD at the same club in downtown San Jose but on different nights, both were nice and cordial and I was amazed by the size of VD in person...but will never forgive my friend's cheap disposable camera for ruining my pic with Jerry.

Couple other quick anecdotes involving my friends: One friend made Tony Parrish laugh his a** off at the Vault in downtown San Jose by telling Kevan Barlow (to his face) that his grandma could average more than 2 yards per carry, and another buddy of mine used to work at the target on the border of North San Jose and Milpitas, and had TO come in once and buy a bunch of stuff for the house. Of course, TO was classic TO in the sense that he didnt make chit chat, quickly signed an autograph and was trying to get out of there as quickly as he could.

Anybody have any interesting anecdotes regarding interactions with players outside the playing field that they'd like to share?

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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Jerry Rice

I’ve told this story here before, but it’s still one of the greatest experiences of my life. I managed to get a ticket to Jerry Rice’s induction into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. In a pre-event VIP reception I managed to slip in and at one point spoke to Jerry Rice for a few minutes with nobody else around to interrupt and he was as kind as could be. We talked about Calvin Johnson and the 49ers free agent signings. Just amazing.

Same night I took an elevator down with Frank Gore, Isaac Sopoaga and Shawntae Spencer. I got to meet Roger Craig, Eddie DeBartolo, Carmen Policy and John York. It was a whirlwind experience that I’ll never forget.

by Fooch on May 18, 2009 1:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My Story

I was back stage at a Huey Lewis concert at the Oakland Collesium many years ago — I’m a musician by trade. Dwight Clark, Joe Montana, and Ronny Lott had just sung back ups on one of Huey’s songs, “Hip to be Square,” I’m pretty sure it was. The three of them came into the dressing room where I was hanging out and I spoke briefly with Joe and Ronny. Great, polite, really good guys. Then I found myself hanging out with Dwight and I asked him, “What’s Bill Walsh really like as a coach?” I expected him to maybe say he’s grumpier or more aloof than people think. But he said, “Bill is an awesome guy. Father figure. Funny. Definitely a genius.”

So, making sure he wasn’t just shuckin’ me with some stock answer I gave him a more negative question: “Who’s the dumbest guy on the team?”

He laughed really hard and said, “No doubt about it, it’s Charles.” (Haley). I asked why. He said, “Well, you know the defensicve coach is barking out these plays to the players during practice, and he’ll say, ‘Lott, red 68 yellow,’” (something like that, I don’t remember the name of the play Dwight mentioned), “and Ronnie calls out the right play, that he moves to cover the CB on the right side if it’s a pass play.” (Again, he gave an example something like that). Then he says, "Then the coach says, ‘Haley!’ . . .No answer.. . .‘Hey Haley!!’

Haley looks at him. Seifert says, ‘Blue 76, green 30, what do you do?’ And Charles looks at him and says, “Tackle the MFk-er!’”

That was Dwight’s story! . . . . .Blew my mind that he even talked to me, but he was just a regular good guy to hang out with. Totally cool to be around.

That’s mine!

by Since79 on May 18, 2009 3:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Steve Young

Came to my HS for a halftime speech. Before he did that though, he had talked to the team in the locker room(about what? I do not remember honestly).
It was disappointing to say the least, no autograph, no actual interaction, no throwing the ball around, no rainbows, no ponies, no Rice.

http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com

by supraman on May 18, 2009 3:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Meeting Rice

I was able to meet Rice in December. He apparently has this toy drive that he does every year. It was in Belmont,Ca when I went. All you needed to do was bring a toy to donate. I got there kinda early so I was able to take 2 pictures with Jerry Rice. The first one was Jerry dressed up as Santa Claus. They took a picture of my brothers and I. Then they had him take off his Santa Claus costume. We waited for an hour or so. While waiting some lady gave my brothers and I autographed cards of Jerry Rice. One of my brothers got a Raiders one and I laughed at him. So eventually I got an individual picture of him. I didn’t get to talk to him but it was so cool to see him in person. The pictures and everything was free. All you needed to was donate a toy to come in. They also gave out free monster energy drinks. Man it was a good day.

In Shaun Hill will trust

by iaalexeeff on May 18, 2009 4:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Joe Montana

Well when I was growing up in San Jose, Joe Montana did an autograph signing session at Grand Tree Furniture store (or something like that ) just down the street from where I lived, I’m pretty sure it was before his 1st Super Bowl win. But he signed autograph for me, it was picture of him in the paper that I got signed, Anyways I went in to the military and had all my stuff like that back at my parents place, shortly after that they moved to Oregon, anyways I have never seen it again. They aren’t sure what happen to a few of my boxes. Anyays back on topic! From what I remember as a kid, Joe seemed pretty cool. Since that I have heard other stories about him, but I’m like whatever. He is still a football God to me!

by Ten-Man on May 19, 2009 7:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

!

You have to find that paper!!

by chikmagnet_565 on May 19, 2009 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have only got to see one Niner game Live in my life....

…but it was awesome. I went to Indianapolis years ago (Jeff George still started for the Colts…that should tell you). Rice was always my favorite athlete, and I got to see Young throw two TD’s to him that game. The only thing about it that sucked was the massive wave of Colt Blue everywhere around me. Needless to say, they didn’t like my Rice jersey all that much. LoL

by Blank x2 on May 20, 2009 10:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I've seen them Once also

I got to go see them play the Ravens a few years back when I was stationed in the D.C. area. I think it might have only been a preseason game but still, It was still good to see them, and yeah I got harrased for wearing my niner gear. I am hoping to go see them play the Vikings this year, it’s not to far to Drive from North Dakota!(yeah that’s where I am stationed now, Yuck!)

by Ten-Man on May 20, 2009 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i haven't been yet

but i am hoping on going this year or next i don’t really have a lot of money i usually spend it on football cleats and gloves ETC. but anyways i can’t wait to go my parents used to have season tickets but that was when i was two i almost went once but that didn’t happen.

by 5-0 on May 21, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ronnie Lott

In the late 80’s, I was with my girlfriend at the Macy’s at Valley Fair in San Jose. We were walking by the linens, and there was Ronnie looking at bed sheets. I got his autograph and talked to him a little. He was really cool, considering he had some teenager (me)bugging him while he was out buying stuff for his bedroom.

by illini49er on May 21, 2009 11:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs