As fans we could play the blame game, analyze footage and try to figure out how our beloved 49ers let their 6th championship slip out of their hands last night. None of it matters, it is not in our control. Just as the wind blows, we only can adjust to what we're feeling and keep moving forward. What I feel more than anything is gratitude.
The 2019 San Francisco 49ers were a magical football team that was much more than that. This team felt like a family. A group of individuals from all different places in life but forming one purpose and one belief. Whether it be QB Jimmy Garoppolo fighting to return from a devastating ACL injury, controversial DE Nick Bosa fitting in with a new environment, S Jimmie Ward finally being healthy enough to showcase his talents or undrafted free agents Kendrick Bourne and Raheem Mostert becoming legitimate starters and key pieces of the offense; this team was unified. When reading comments from the players, often you heard the term "love" used. This was a group of men who loved each other and believed in each other.
Remember the Browns game on Monday Night Football and how joyous you were when Nick Bosa sacked Baker Mayfield and planted the flag. Remember Jeff Wilson Jr. playing one play against Arizona and winning the game on that one play. Remember the unstoppable George Kittle dragging Saints defenders for 15 yards in the SuperDome on 4th and 2. Remember 3rd and 16, twice. Remember Dre Greenlaw dropping Jacob Hollister. Remember winning an NFC Championship game throwing the ball eight times. Remember Garoppolo missing Emmanuel Sanders on 3rd and 10. Remember it all.
Only two teams get to the first Sunday in February, one of them gets a trophy and the other gets another story to tell that will make getting that trophy even sweeter in the future. The 49ers may have failed yesterday, but they gave the fans so many memories over the past six months. I will forever be grateful for having the opportunity to watch the 49ers play in the Super Bowl with my two daughters by my side. When I told Gabriela, my amazing five-year-old, that the 49ers lost the Super Bowl she broke out in tears. All I could do was wrap my arms around her and feel the love between the two of us. We held each other closely, and we were together in that moment. It was beautifully bitter. I'm certain so many felt the same way I felt with my daughter that night. Remember those feelings. This is what makes this game mean so much. Remember those moments with the ones you love on February 2nd, 2020 and remember the 49ers gave you these moments.
So, thank you, 49ers. Thank you to all the players who poured their minds into studying film and learning playbooks while sacrificing their bodies on the field. Thank you, Jed York, for doing your best to find the leaders this franchise needs to bring it a championship. Thank you, Kyle Shanahan, Robert Saleh and the entire coaching staff for putting in tireless days perfecting game plans and doing your best to place these players in positions to win. Most of all, thank you Faithful 49ers fans. It was such a pleasure to see Levi's Stadium electrified with the energy and passion that we have for this team.
Written By:
49ers outsider, residing in the Hudson Valley, representing 30+ years of the 49ers experience
All articles by Gilbert Brink
Gilbert Brink
49ers outsider, residing in the Hudson Valley, representing 30+ years of the 49ers experience
All articles by Gilbert Brink
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers mailbag: Who are you focusing on during training camp? How will the safety positions pan out? Will Raheem Morris abandon the wide 9?
Training camp is finally here, and there are plenty of questions surrounding the San Francisco 49ers. With a new-look defense under Raheem Morris, several intriguing off-season additions on both sides of the ball, and competition at multiple positions, there is no shortage of... -
Is it already time to question 49ers' new approach to player health amid growing list of injuries?
The San Francisco 49ers have barely gotten started with training camp, and they're already dealing with an injury list that is difficult to ignore. After just the first two days of practice, the team reported injuries to Vederian Lowe (ankle sprain), Andrew Farmer (back),... -
49ers have learned to keep secrets, but is this a good thing?
For years, the San Francisco 49ers had a reputation for being one of the easiest NFL teams to get information from. Not because the team was particularly transparent, but because information seemed to find its way out of the building. That changed in 2017. Since Kyle Shanahan... -
49ers' Trent Williams embraces final NFL chapter, savoring every training camp moment
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams made it clear that his current contract, which runs through the 2027 season, will likely be the final deal of his illustrious NFL career. Speaking to reporters after the 49ers' first training camp practice on Sunday, Williams was...