Alumni

Ronnie Lott - Why shouldn't he talk to the Saints?

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Ronnie Lott has been all over the airwaves recently, justifying his talk to the Saints the night before they played the 49ers in their home opener. Why shouldn't Lott talk to the Saints? He loves football, he loves football players, and he apparently wasn't talking about how to beat his NFL team of origin, he was talking about how a team needs to do to repeat as champions, something he did with the 49ers in 1988-89.

Even if Lott was asked about how to beat the 49ers, what could he tell them? He's not out at practice, he's not a coach.

Lott did play for the 49ers, and the organization eventually retired his number. But what does Lott really owe the 49ers? He played Hall of fame caliber football for them, he was rewarded handsomely in enumeration and accolades and then Lott and the organization went on their merry way. Lott no longer works for the 49ers. If there was a mistake made, it's that the 49ers didn't ask Lott to speak to their team before at some point. The 49ers could make greater use of the inspirational figures from their glorious past.

Lott might not have hesitated to talk to the Saints because his relationship with the team has sometimes been complicated. During a contract squabble in the 1990's, he once called then Eddie DeBartolo Jr. a "wino." Talk to anyone from their 1980's and '90's and they will tell you Lott was the team's spiritual leader, yet he never won the Len Eshmont Award. One player once told me that he was positive Lott had collected more votes than any other player one year, but he didn't win. The player said Lott was such a strong leader, he intimidated coaches, including Bill Walsh.

The organization was also slow to retire his number, honoring Dwight Clark, way before Lott for example. Whether this history had anything to do with Lott's decision to speak to the Saints is unknown. Even if that history didn't exist, Lott owes the 49ers nothing.

NOTES: LB Takeo Spikes (knee) will be a game time decision in Kansas City. G Chilo Rachal (stinger) and WR-KR Kyle Williams have been removed from the injury report.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | September 24 2010 at 03:38 PM

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All-Time second round

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Continuing on our theme for the week, what about the 49ers best second-round draft picks?

1. Roger Craig, RB 6-0, 222 Nebraska (1983): Craig, as he once put it, did some crazy (bleep) during his career: first running back to rush for 1,000 yards and receive for a 1,000 yards in the same season (1985). Became AP's NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1988 after establishing a then team-record of 1,502 yards rushing. The bug eyes and high knees must have been a defensive back's nightmare.

2. Abe Woodson, DHB, 5-11, 188 Illinois (1957) He went to five straight Pro Bowls for the 49ers and was a spectacular return man.

3. Randy Cross C/G, 6-3, 245, UCLA (1976) Became the prototypical Bobb McKittrick linemen - small, smart, athletic. He was named on six All-Pro lists and went to three Pro Bowls.

4. Keith Fahnhorst T, 6-6, 248, Minnesota (1974) Played 14 seasons and made a Pro Bowl. Another McKittrick-like lineman with his smarts and smaller size.

5. Eric Wright, CB, 6-1, 180, Missouri (1981). Three Pro Bowls and could have possibly been a great player if he wasn't hampered in his later career by a groin injury.

6. Keena Turner LB, 6-2, 219, Purdue (1980) Eleven-year career dotted with a Pro Bowl and four Super Bowls.

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | May 12 2010 at 03:45 PM

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Ronnie Lott Helping Kids

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Of all the alumni from the glory years, Ronnie Lott might be the former player that does the most for his community. The man is everywhere, starting businesses and constantly involving himself in charities. He has a big event this Friday at Bimbo's in San Francisco for the charity All-Stars Helping Kids, a group Lott founded. Here's the press release for the event:

Ronnie Lott is always helping someone.

AP

Ronnie Lott is always helping someone.

Ronnie Lott and All Stars Helping Kids will be hosting the All Stars Fantasy Football Draft Party at Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco Friday July 18.

The event begins at 6:30 and all proceeds will benefit All Stars Helping Kids.

Several NFL legends including Marcus Allen, Warren Moon, Michael Irvin, Charles Haley, Tim Brown, Brent Jones and Ted Hendricks will be there along with current NFL players Nnamdi Asomugha and Darren McFadden among others. The 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleaders will be there to perform and participate throughout the draft.

The participating teams are each assigned an NFL legend to serve as team captain and lend their expert advice during the draft. The winning team will receive a trip for four to the 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame festivities and a $20,000 donation to the charity of their choice. Michael Irvin's team claimed the title last season.

The event is open to the public. VIP tickets are $1,000 and general admission is $250 – with all of the proceeds going to charity. All tickets include dinner and access to the silent auction items, including Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders autographed jerseys. Interactive Nintendo Wii and Hewlett Packard gaming stations will be set up for guests to go head to head against each other and the current NFL players. Raffles for a Wii game console, Ronnie Lott autographed USC jersey, and other prizes will be held throughout the night.

Once the draft is over the dance floor opens up for the rest of the evening. There is something for everyone and it all benefits All Stars Helping Kids. Tickets are available by calling All Stars Helping Kids at 650-363-1395 or by visiting allstarshelpingkids.org.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | July 16 2008 at 10:16 AM

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Steve and Brent

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Mention the names Steve and Brent some 15 years ago to 49ers' fans and no last names were needed. Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young and former Pro Bowl tight end Brent Jones kept the 49ers' legendary offense thrumming through the playoff years and during San Francisco's last Super Bowl-winning season in 1994.

The former training camp roommates remain tight friends and have even gone into business together. Their latest venture is an investment in Owater, a line of natural energy drinks without the sugar and high fructose corn syrup. For example, one product replaces electrolytes after exercise at a fraction of the calories of Gatorade.

Young and Jones did a series of radio spots for Owater at Sanford last week that will start to air this week.
Steve Young is pitching different things these days.

cnn/sportsillustrated

Steve Young is pitching different things these days.

Young looked like a guy who had been doing some serious ground battle with three young kids; he was unshaven and a little sleepy-eyed. He and his wife, Barbara, are expecting again.

Jones and his wife, Dana, have older kids that they're sending off to college. Both Young and Jones had opinions on the 49ers.

"How do you assess (them)?" Young asked. "Last year, they traded the number one pick because they thought they'd be 10-6 or 11-5 and they end up just the opposite. How do you make sense of it? One of the worst offenses in the history of the NFL last year."

Their frustration compounds because Young and Jones are still part of a group shopping for an NFL team to buy in the Western U.S. They've approached all three teams in California and received a uniform response.

"Buy season tickets," Young quipped.

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | May 27 2008 at 02:38 PM

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