"The Inconvenient Truth"
"The Inconveniant Truth" Niner Empire Blog
by Megan Johnson
Before I begin this story I should start with the story of Gil Leal. If you were one of the few fortunate enough to know him you would know that he was hilarious, kind, generous and the biggest Forty Niner fan in the world; importance to him starting with the latter. Gil was my papa and my best friend. Of the many things he gave me, among my most cherished is my fanatical love for The San Francisco Forty Niners. I was born in 1988, but with a dog named Dwight Clark
and 3 uncles as crazy about the niners as my papa I became as familiar with the glory years of camelot as if I had been there with them watching every down. In fact my papa and I would watch old Forty Niner tape and I can safely say I have watched most of the downs played by both Joe Montana and Steve Young.
How fitting that in my very first 49er game, last Sunday against the NY Giants, both Roger Craig and RC Owens were honored and inducted into the 49er hall of fame. They were members of the 1981 super bowl champion 49ers; 1981 marked the beginning of arguably the best offense in NFL history, powered by Joe Montana, Roger Craig and eventually Jerry Rice; a dynasty built by Bill Walsh and Eddie DeBartolo. 30 years later the 49ers are hoping that their 8-1 start and Jim Harbaugh will lead them back to former glory. While Harbaugh doesn't have four super bowl rings and a quarter back like Joe Montana, he does have a dangerous defense, elite special teams, and Alex Smith. Alex Smith is not Joe, but as I selected his name for my 2011 pro bowl vote, passing over names like Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, those who may resemble Joe in other ways, Alex wears red and gold, he is my quarterback, he can win, he proves himself week after week, and no one deserves it more.
Without Frank Gore, Alex opened up his game threw for 242 yards and beat the very hot NY giants. Alex had a lot of help Sunday, he can thank Carlos Rogers for his 2 interceptions, Vernon Davis for his robot-like athleticism that carried him into the end zone, Kendall Hunter for seamlessly filling in for an injured Frank Gore, Justin Smith for batting down what could have been yet another Eli Manning 4th quarter come from behind TD pass, and Patrick Willis for coverage that despite Justin Smith's miraculous save wouldn't have made it to Mario Manningham anyway. Sorry that i forgot to mention Andy Lee, the always consistent, two time pro bowler, David Akers, no need to explain, Delanie, Bowman, Staley, and Braylon Edwards, Alex's new security blanket. The list goes on and on, we are a team of players. We've had the puzzle pieces for years and they are finally coming together. Success was inevitable in 2011 with rookies and free agent pickups like Bruce Miller, Carlos Rodgers, Donte Whitner, David Akers, Braylon Edwards, Chris Culliver and Alex Smith. Alex Smith a free agent signed by Jim Harbaugh to a one year deal after 6 trying season under center. Harbaugh gave him a chance as well as the football and Alex is paying him back every Sunday.
There were sentiments from NY Giants players suggesting that we would meet again in the playoffs this year; In 1981 the Forty Niners beat the NY Giants in Candlestick in the playoffs and went on to win the Super Bowl. We very well may meet again, in the playoffs, in candlestick, lets hope that history will repeat itself. My papa passed away on January 24 2010; I know that he watches the 49ers every Sunday as he always did. Rest in Peace Papa and Go Niners!!!!!!
Megan Johnson
Faithful since May 3rd 1988
