Evelyn & Tim at 49er Season Opener
As a single mother with two sons, who are now nineteen and twenty-five, I have adjusted to the dual role (mom and dad) of parenting due to their father’s absence from our family. At times it has been difficult, but I could never have chosen to do otherwise. I am truly blessed to have Steven and Timothy in my life.
When my son, Tim, was in the second grade, he played on the same soccer team as Jerry Rice’s son, Jerry. It was a difficult football season for Jerry Sr., due to the fact that at the 49ers home opener in 1997, he injured his knee. Jerry came to Little Jerry’s soccer games each week, and humbly hobbled onto the soccer field with his crutches to watch the games with the other parents. We were in awe of him and sorry that he couldn’t play football, but respected his privacy as a dad. As the team mom, I enjoyed planning the end of season event for the team. Jerry agreed to take photos with the kids and sign autographs and this was a treat for all of us. I bought a gift for him from the team – a red baseball cap embroidered with the words “Run, Jerry, Run” – a phrase I borrowed from Forrest Gump. He sincerely appreciated the gesture and wore the cap during the party. It was our hope that he would soon be able to “run” again, as he had done successfully for so many years. He returned to football fourteen weeks later.
This past August, I learned that Jerry Rice entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was going to be honored at the home opener at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The 49ers were to play the 2010 Super Bowl Champs, the New Orleans Saints, at the Monday Night Football Game on September 20th. At this game, the 49ers would pay tribute to the legendary wide receiver, and his jersey #80 would be retired.
I decided to purchase two tickets to this football game, and Tim and I really looked forward to seeing Jerry, and the other 49er Hall of Famers who would probably be there. Our seats were in the first row of the Upper Reserved section, and when we arrived, there were two ticket checkers sitting in our seats. No one else was seated in the entire section. We had arrived early and jokingly told them that they were sitting in our seats. They stood up and gave us each a SF 49er pin and congratulated us for being there early. We really appreciated the gift, and I immediately placed the pin on my 49er fleece jacket.
I sat down, and not even ten seconds later, a young man in a jacket and tie appeared and asked me if these were our seats. I replied with a “yes” and he then asked me if we would like a seat upgrade. I asked him “where?” and he said, “the best seats in the stadium.” I said “you’re kidding me, right?” He then added that we would be sitting in two leather chairs, with our own TV, on the field in the end zone. We were the winners of the United Airlines Seat Upgrade of the Game!
He gave us special passes to wear, and we followed him down to the field. Needless to say, we were both excited and in shock. Tim and I were escorted up to our own platform and given an SF 49er goodie bag with tee shirts, hats, and other items. Our UA escort told us that we had to remain in our seats for the entire first quarter, as we would be filmed for the jumbotron as the upgrade winners. We couldn’t believe it! The NFL photographers gave us a “thumbs up” as they would pass us by and stopped to take our picture. I had wanted this to be a special night for Tim, and it was turning out to be much more than I ever imagined.
Being a shutterbug, prior to the game I took pictures of Tim with a group of soldiers who were standing directly behind us. They were going to bring out the American Flag during the game. I also took pictures of him with two of the 49er cheerleaders, and we had pictures taken with Sourdough Sam, the 49er mascot, who spent time with us throughout the game. Privileged to stand on the goal line, I took several photos of the coaches and players while they were practicing. To be that close was surreal.
At the end of the first quarter, a man wearing a #80 jersey and jeans walked toward us and smiled at us as he crossed in front of the platform we were sitting on. I told Tim that he looked like Jerry Rice. Tim replied, “Mom, that is Jerry Rice.” I didn’t think it was Jerry, because at the start of the game he was wearing his yellow Hall of Fame jacket. Jerry continued to walk over to the other side of the field and spoke with some SF Police officers. A few minutes later, with an officer on each side, he came back in our direction on the warning track behind us. I grabbed my camera and snapped two pictures of him. When I pulled my camera away from my face, Jerry gestured to me by raising his hand up, pointing toward me and smiling. Whether he recognized us from the soccer season of the past or not, it was a magical moment for the two of us.
It was an exciting game – pyrotechnics, an F-16 flyover, a #80 card trick in the stands, thousands of spirited fans, and a half time celebration of Jerry’s achievements with Joe Montana, Steve Young, and other former players alongside him.
The 49ers were competitive against the championship Saints – tying the game 22-22 in the 4th quarter. However, the Saints defeated them with a field goal in the last seconds of the game. Though we were disappointed with the 49er loss, it was one of the best experiences we’ve ever shared as mother and son. We were the winners.
Please enjoy some of the game photos below.
Be well.
Evelyn
Tim and Goldrush Cheerleaders
Evelyn & Sourdough Sam
Coach Singletary at 49er Practice
Players pre-game warmup
F-16s fly over Candlestick Park
Drew Brees throwing a pass
Alex Smith throwing a pass
Jerry Rice
Fans card trick to honor Jerry Rice's #80
