49ers honor the great Eddie DeBartolo

[Upton]

SAN FRANCISCO—Former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. was honored as the inaugural inductee into San Francisco's Hall of Fame on Sunday.

DeBartolo owned the team from 1977-98, when the 49ers won five Super Bowls, and was affectionately known as "Mr. D" to his players and coaches.

Walking alongside several family members, DeBartolo was greeted with cheers of "Eddie, Eddie!" from the crowd at Candlestick Park during halftime of Sunday's game against Seattle.

A stage was set up at midfield where Jerry Rice spoke and a plaque was unveiled honoring DeBartolo as the first inductee into the Eddie DeBartolo Sr. Hall of Fame.

"Eddie has set a standard in the NFL that has never been matched," said Rice, one of a half-dozen former players taking part in the ceremony. "When you think of San Francisco, you think of the 49ers and of Eddie DeBartolo Jr.'s legacy. He demanded perfection and we delivered for him."

Among the players joining Rice at halftime were Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott, and former 49ers stars Dwight Clark, Roger Craig and Eric Davis.

Steve Young, another Hall of Famer who played for DeBartolo's teams, delivered a video tribute that was played on the stadium scoreboard.

"This is probably the last time that I will ever have an opportunity to stand before the people that have made such an impact on my life," DeBartolo told the crowd in a brief speech. "You are not 49er faithful. You are my 49er family.

From the bottom of my heart, to everybody who has been with us, fought with us and struggled with us during my ownership, I thank you.

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_13382464

It's impossible to overstate how much Eddie's stewardship meant to the 49er organization and the Bay Area. The most obvious reminder is the 5 Super Bowl trophies, and then there are the many Hall of Fame players and coaches that toiled for Eddie's 49ers.

He gave all of us who have lived and grown up in the Bay Area so many great moments to be cherished, words can never fully express our gratitude.

Eddie DeBartolo Jr. was quite simply one of the greatest owners in sports history.

[Auggie]

1. I thought the kiss was nice

[joeybee12]

2. If I click on the link, will they mention his crimes?

:shrug:

[TZ]

3. Say what you want Joeybee but he was a great owner

Just like Jack Kent Cooke was the biggest jackass in the world (him and that awful wife of his..Ick) but he was a great owner as well.

[joeybee12]

4. I was just asking!

:P

[hughee99]

7. Or how he became a master of the salary cap

when he figured out how to pay players extra money off the books (via "personal services" contracts).

In all fairness to Eddie, his biggest successes were before the cap was put in and not result of financial shenanigans. As owners go, he was a pretty good one. I'll bet 49ers fans would chase the York family out of town with pitchforks and torches if they could get Eddie back.

[madinmaryland]

5. Nice of them to honor a convict.

:shrug:

[TZ]

6. Look who's talking!

Are there any NON-convicts in Dallas ring of fame? :rofl:

[madinmaryland]

9. No. And we have never been owned by a convicted felon, either.

[Upton]

12. Yeah....Jones is just involved with these two

[madinmaryland]

13. You know, because JJ voted for Bush, also condems 55 million people

who voted for Bush. JJ and most of the voters did not make the decision to invade iraq, lie to congress, violate civil rights.

I realized you were a lackey, but this is stupid. DeBartolo was actually convicted. JJ did not commit the crimes you refer to.

Douche.

[thatsrightimirish]

15. there was never a trial

so he wasnt convicted of anything. he did however plead guilty and paid a $1 million fine and lost control of the 49ers

[Poiuyt]

8. He beat up a 64 year old Packer fan once after a game

[hughee99]

10. I don't believe in age discrimination...

You're never too old for an ass-kicking if you go looking for one.

:hide:

[joeybee12]

11. A 64-year-old Packer? Who? Bret Favre?

Oh, Packer FAN!

[Onceuponalife]

14. "Mr. DeBartolo, we are all honorable men here...

We are the heads of the Five Families...One day I may ask a favor of you..."

[madinmaryland]

16. The highlight of the 49'ers season!!

:rofl:

[madinmaryland]

17. Kicking.

:D

[Auggie]

18. Get some help. Please.

[hughee99]

19. It's a shame no one is giving him is credit for his pioneering work in salary cap shenanigans.

Getting players to take less official money and then signing secret "personal services" contracts (not counted against the cap) to make up the difference.

[trumad]

20. Eddie. ..was a great owner no doubt. ..

Unfortunately they now have York.