Category: 49ers

49ers legend Patrick Willis shares thoughts on Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh

49ers legend Patrick Willis shares his thoughts on Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Willis—on behalf of Verizon—discussed the First-Ever Super Bowl FanFest, which will bring a Super Bowl LIX experience to 30 NFL cities across the country. He also reflected on his time playing under head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Verizon is transforming stadiums and venues across all 30 NFL markets into a nationwide FanFest unlike any other. On Super Bowl LIX Sunday, fans will enjoy free celebrations, including food and beverages from locally owned small businesses, meet-and-greets with local football heroes, live local music acts, interactive games, and unique football fan experiences.

Fans will also experience Super Bowl LIX activities in select cities on the field.

Willis played under Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco during the last few seasons of his career and experienced much success. He spoke highly of the current Los Angeles Chargers head coach and his impact on his career.

“I was very fortunate to play with that and be a part of that coaching staff,” Willis explained. “When you’re not winning, there are many reasons. There could be a lot of reasons for that; my first few years were tough. It was tough, going .500 and just trying to get into the playoffs at eight and eight or nine and seven. And I remember, again, in 2011, it was a lot of uncertainty. It was coming off a lockout with a new coaching staff. We hadn’t had a chance to have an off-season workout, and we weren’t able to build that camaraderie.”

Harbaugh has earned a reputation over his career for his intensity and focus on winning regardless of the deficit.

“I believe it was a game that happened, I want to say it was the Philadelphia Eagles game, and we [were] playing them,” Willis said. “We [were] down at halftime. when you’ve been used to being on a team, it’s not so well, you’re going to have time. Fingers are pointing, and people are going at each other. It could be a little tough in there.

“I remember going in and thinking like, oh man, being so traumatized from what used to be. I remember we were going in and remember hearing, first, it starts up top and goes downhill, and hearing Harbaugh say, ‘You know what, we got ourselves in a hole, but we know we’re going to do ourselves out. We are going to fight in every play, just the way he went about it.”

Willis had the most team success while Harbaugh was the 49ers’ head coach and continues to wish him well as he led the Chargers to a Wild Card round appearance in his first season in Los Angeles.

“It was so amazing that I remember just saying, like, hey, I think he is going to be alright, I think he gets it, and we go on to have no go to we’re going to have an amazing, three out of four years together because our last season didn’t go as well, but overall, Coach Harbaugh is a tremendous coach,” said Willis. “I was very excited to see him go to see him have the success he had after leaving, the success he had in Michigan, and then see the success he had this year at the Los Angeles Chargers; it was awesome to see.”

Visit VerizonFanFest.com for a full list of events and locations and access to free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. FanFests across the country will take place on Sunday, February 9, beginning at 4pm ET / 1pm PT.

49ers legend Patrick Willis reveals favorite linebackers in today’s NFL

Pro Football Hall of Famer Patrick Willis reveals his favorite linebackers in today’s NFL w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Willis—on behalf of Verizon—discussed the First-Ever “Super Bowl FanFest,” which will bring a Super Bowl LIX experience to 30 NFL cities across the country. He also shared his thoughts on some of his favorite linebackers in the NFL today.

In a first-of-its-kind event, Verizon transforms stadiums and venues across all 30 NFL markets into a nationwide FanFest. Fans will enjoy free Super Bowl LIX Sunday celebrations with food and beverages from locally owned small businesses, meet-and-greets with local football heroes, live local music acts, interactive games, and unique football fan experiences.

Verizon customers can bring a select number of guests to FanFest to share the afternoon of celebrations with family and friends.

Willis played eight seasons in the NFL, all with the 49ers, earning numerous All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors as one of the best linebackers to play the game. He opened up about some of his favorite players from his position group to watch in the league today.

“It’s kind of hard to compare,” Willis explained. “I’m a person. I don’t like to compare it. I always feel like everyone is their own individual. I will say there are some great linebacker play happening in the NFL. Maybe I’m a little biased, but I feel Fred (Warner) is still the number one linebacker, him and Roquan (Smith).

“feel like they are 1A, 1B. They’re both right there, and both are very good. The different things that they do make them All-Pros, which they are. I enjoy watching good football and seeing guys get after it, and I have a fanatical effort. Dre Greenlaw, when healthy, is one of the best. When Dre and Fred are together, man, they are a joy to watch.”

Smith and Warner were again first-team Associated Press All-Pro members for the 2024 season, continuing their exceptional play.

“I enjoy watching good defense, good football, and the play of Fred and Roquan,” Willis said. “I like Nakobe Dean from the (Philadelphia) Eagles; I’m just a fan of defenders, as I was when I was a kid. You had the people they show you; they say these are the superstars. I’ve always been one of the ones. I just watched the game, and you see the effort. You see guys getting after it, land, the boom, high energy, 100% effort. Those are guys I’ve always been a fan of, so I’m just a fan of the game, defenders, and those who get after it.”

Visit VerizonFanFest.com for a full list of events and locations and access to free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. FanFests across the country will take place on Sunday, February 9, beginning at 4pm ET / 1pm PT.

Retired 49ers All-Pro LB Patrick Willis recalls his Super Bowl XLVII experience in New Orleans

@EdEastonJr spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer Patrick Willis about his experience playing in Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans.

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Willis—on behalf of Verizon—discussed the first-ever Super Bowl FanFest, which will bring a Super Bowl LIX experience to 30 NFL cities across the country. He also reflected on his experience playing Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans.

“I am super excited to be a part of the Super Bowl FanFest,” Willis explained. “It’s the first one. It’s the first of its kind ever, so I’m just looking forward to it. Verizon has always been anyone anytime I’ve been a part of anything they’ve done. So, just looking forward to celebrating with the fans and having a great time.”

“They say it’s hard to understand and appreciate the ups unless you’ve been through the downs and the tough times,” Willis continued. “When I came in in 2007, it was a little chaotic. You see, it’s going through a rebuilding stage. I remember what that felt like. I was blessed to be able to come to a fan base such as the 49ers, the ‘Faithful.’ I like to call them. They shouted it loud, even when we were not winning on the scoreboard, and they still were true.

“They still were faithful, and it was amazing when we were able to get over that hump in 2011 and go to NFC Championship and then follow it up with the Super Bowl appearance that we weren’t able to get the win, and then to go back to another NFC Championship following the Super Bowl. So we’ve had some great times together, and again, I’m just looking forward to this time when I’m not a player and can deeply relax and enjoy hanging out with them.”

Super Bowl XLVII was Willis’ lone appearance in the game as the 49ers faced off against the Baltimore Ravens. He finished the game with ten tackles, but San Francisco came up short in the most recent New Orleans Super Bowl before this February’s big game.

“The 49ers have a rich tradition when it comes to Super Bowls. At that time, we had a slogan called ‘Quest for Six,’ it was huge because it wasn’t just any Super Bowl; it was the Harbaugh brother Super Bowl; it was a lot going on,” said Willis. “Then I was also playing against a linebacker I admired to the utmost, a guy in my area, and a guy I could play with in Ray Lewis. So it was, it was a great time. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to win, but it was a great time. A lot happened that week. A lot happened on the day of the game, during the game. So it was just a great experience. All in all.”

The game notably featured a long delay due to a power outage at the stadium.

“People still talk about it to this day,” Willis said of the blackout. “It was an awkward moment but a great time.”

Visit VerizonFanFest.com for a full list of events and locations and access to free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. FanFests across the country will take place on Sunday, February 9, beginning at 4pm ET / 1pm PT.

49ers blast LB De’Vondre Campbell for walking out on team during loss

49ers LB De’Vondre Campbell refused to play and walked out on his team

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw returned to play 10 months after rupturing his Achilles in the 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on  Thursday. He suffered a knee injury and fellow LB Dee Winters hurt his neck. Kyle Shanahan asked (told?) De’Vondre Campbell to go into the game. The veteran LB reused.

And then in the fourth quarter took a walk to the 49ers locker room with the game — and season — at stake.\

“He said he didn’t want to play today,” Shanahan said.

Other 49er players ridiculed Campbell’s stunningly selfish act. He doesn’t deserve to be referred to as a teammate.

Charvarius Ward:

George Kittle:

Spotrac has the contract details Campbell signed in the offseason: De’Vondre Campbell signed a 1 year , $5,000,000 contract with the San Francisco 49ers, including $3,350,000 signing bonus, $4,560,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $5,000,000. In 2024, Campbell will earn a base salary of $1,210,000, a signing bonus of $3,350,000 and a workout bonus of $100,000.

Interesting tweet with salty lalguage from Campbell in 2023:

49ers lose RBs Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason to IR

The injury-riddled 49ers lose Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason

A trying season for the San Francisco 49ers took two more hits after Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.

The one-time favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl announced that running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason will be placed oN IR.

Mason has a high ankle sprain. McCaffrey suffered a PCL sprain in the loss to the Bills.

The 49ers are down to one healthy RB, rookie Isaac Guerendo. They will likely elevate Patrick Taylor Jr. from the practice squad.

Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa out for 49ers’ game with Packers

The 49ers will be without Nick Bosa and Brock Purdy against Green Bay

Big news and not good news out of the Bay Area on Friday. The 5-5 San Francisco 49ers will be in Green Bay on Sunday to play the Packers without two of their best players.

Quarterback Brock Purdy and defensive lineman Nick Bosa will not play in the game. Purdy has an injured right shoulder,

The quarterback for San Francisco will be Brandon Allen.

Allen has not thrown a pass in an NFL game since 2022 when he was 3-for-3 as a Cincinnati Bengal.

In his NFL career, he has thrown for 1,096 yards with 10 TD passes and six picks.

Bosa has hip and oblique injuries. He has seven sacks and one interception in 2024.

 

49ers WR Ricky Pearsall makes first career TD catch

Ricky Pearsall’s story keeps getting better

The Ricky Pearsall story added another page on Sunday.

The San Francisco 49ers’ first-round pick out of Florida caught his first career touchdown pass. It was good for 46 yards from Brock Purdy.

Pearsall was wounded in a robbery attempt in the offseason and rehabbed before making his NFL debut. He’s been on the field for the 49ers for a few weeks and now has a touchdown reception.

Nick Bosa of 49ers fined $11,255 for wearing ‘MAGA’ hat during postgame interview

The MAGA hat on the post-game interview will cost Nick Bosa $11K

Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers was making a statement and having fun during the postgame interview Oct. 27. The 49ers had defeated the Dallas Cowboys and Bosa arrived with a ‘MAGA’ cap on.

He was asked if he thought it might draw a fine for violating NFL rules.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I haven’t gotten one yet; but if it comes, it comes.”

Bosa was aware of the possibility of getting fined, but said the public display for former President Donald Trump was “well worth it.”

Bosa and everyone else learned the result of the action. He received an envelope from the NFL letting him know he had been fined $11,255.

The reason for the fine is explained as such: “throughout the period on game-day that a player is visible to the stadium and television audience (including in pregame warm-ups, in the bench area, and during postgame interviews in the locker room or on the field), players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office.”

Don’t be stunned if/when someone starts a GoFundMe though Bosa doesn’t need the finanacial help.

Will Christian McCaffrey play this week? Injury update for 49ers RB

Looks like the 49ers will be getting Christian McCaffrey back in time for the Buccaneers game

The San Francisco 49ers and people who had high fantasy draft picks no longer have to wait. On Sunday when the NFC West team visits the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to make his 2024 regular-season debut.

Christian McCaffrey injury update

McCaffrey has been bothered by Achilles tendinitis. He went to Germany for treatment hoping to find a way to get himself back on the field. The 49ers went 4-4 in his absence.

How long has Christian McCaffrey been out?

McCaffrey has missed the entire season to date. He did not play n the preseason, either.

49ers running back depth chart

In his place, Jordan Mason has 685 rushing yards. Rookie Isaac Guerendo has 227 rushing yards. They are both behind McCaffrey.

Ricky Pearsall and family meet policewoman who helped save 49ers WR

Sweet moment for Ricky Pearsall, his family and the policewoman who helped save him

Ricky Pearsall was wounded in a robbery attempt on Aug. 31. A policewoman was nearby and helped calm the San Francisco 49ers WR until help arrived.

A feelgood piece shows Pearsall and his family meeting the cop who helped save his life.

SFPD Sgt. Joelle Harrell assured Pearsall he was going to be OK as he was placed in an ambulance for transport to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.