Memorable Day for 49ers Kids Club By Sam Good Everything we did today was so much fun, 12-year-old Alex said. I mean, the 49ers are so cool and we got to watch them practice and everything. It was awesome. After practice, Kids Club members got to take part in an exclusive autograph session with the entire 49ers team including running back Frank Gore, linebacker Patrick Willis, tight end Vernon Davis and quarterback Alex Smith. I got Gore s autograph, Davis autograph and a lot of other guys, Matthew said. I also got to shake some of the players hands. This was so fun. Following the autograph session, the Kids Club members took the fields, but before they started working on their football skills, they had to be prepped for practice. And there s nobody better to get you fired up than Singletary. As the 49ers ran off the practice fields on Aug. 19, the fun was just beginning for 500 members of the 49ers Kids Club presented by See s Candies. They had just watched the team s training camp practice, but now they were about to receive autographs, listen to a speech from head coach Mike Singletary and play on the same fields the 49ers just practiced on. Eight-year-old Matthew said it was the coolest day of my life. Eleven-year-old Samuel was so excited to step on the field. And Sauncey O Leary said it was a day her twin boys will never forget. Needless to say, it was a special day for those who attended the 49ers Kids Club Training Camp Day. It s great that the 49ers Kids Club provides its members this amazing opportunity to get up-close access to the 49ers, 49ers youth football coordinator Jared Muela said. There s no other platform to get this treatment besides the Kids Club. It s really a great deal. The 49ers head coach spoke to the kids about everything from the significance of staying active, to what his players are like away from the field. But his central message to the kids was the importance of school. I can t tell you how important school is, he told the Kids Club members. You never stop learning new things in life, and school is the foundation for that. After Singletary spoke and signed autographs, it was time for to start practice. The Kids Club members participated in the Gatorade Jr. Training Camp drills and learned the skills it takes to play quarterback, running back and wide receiver. In addition to the autographs, the talk from Singletary and the chance to play on the 49ers practice field, Kids Club members also could play on one of the inflatable obstacle courses at the facility, enjoy a free See s lollipop, meet the Gold Rush cheerleaders and get their hair spray painted 49ers gold.
49ers Start Strong His teammates followed suit and proceeded to hold the Colts scoreless until late in the fourth quarter. Along with Smith, linebackers Mike Balogun and Diyral Briggs, and cornerback Will James also came up with interceptions. While the 49ers first preseason was all about the defense, the firstteam offense showcased how potent it can be in when the team returned home to Candlestick Park the following week. Before the preseason began, 49ers head coach Mike Singletary set three major goals. He wanted to get better every game. He wanted his backups to gain valuable experience. And he wanted to teach his team how to win games. Through the four games of the preseason Singletary has been successful on all three fronts, but he still isn t satisfied. He likes the fact that his team is 4-0, but Singletary wants to see a lot more improvement before the regular season begins on September 12 against the Seattle Seahawks. What it s all about is continuing to get better each week, he said. We have to go back and work this week and continue to gain that confidence, continue to get in that rhythm. In the 49ers preseason opener, they traveled to Indianapolis to take on the defending AFC Champion Colts. The Colts took an early 10-0 lead in that contest, but the 49ers forced four turnovers to come back and earn a 37-17 victory. The guys hung in there and we did some of the things that we needed to do to get back in the game, Singletary said. I thought we did a good job of running around. Reggie Smith was the first to step up and start the turnaround. Early in the second quarter, he made the play of the game when he intercepted a Curtis Painter pass and returned it 91 yards to get the 49ers on the scoreboard. Even without playmakers Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree, the No. 1 offense had little trouble marching down the field and scoring a touchdown on its opening drive of the 49ers 15-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The 12-play, 70-yard drive lasted 6:57 and was capped off by a four-yard run by rookie running back Anthony Dixon. I m a big guy, but I knew I was going to have to turn on the jets for that one, said Dixon. After the offense got off to such a fast start, the defense refused to be outplayed and it responded with quite the performance as well. It limited quarterback Brett Favre, running back Adrian Peterson and the rest of Vikings potent offense to just 193 total yards for the night. The season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, September 12th marks the beginning of the 49ers schedule. The 49ers will be back in action at Candlestick Park on Monday, September 20th in a primetime matchup against the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.
Player Spotlight: Josh Morgan When I was in school My favorite food was: Steak and cheese. I loved that. My favorite subject in school was: English When I grew up, I wanted to be: I was into sports from a really young age and I wanted to be an NBA player. My favorite sport was: Basketball, that was really the only sport I played as a kid. I didn t start playing football until I was 15 but I played basketball since I was 4. My favorite recess game was: Basketball My favorite TV show was: I was really into sports and that was really all I watched. With my favorite sport being basketball I watched a lot of NBA games. Josh Morgan had a breakout season in 2009, starting in 15 of the team s 16 games. The wide receiver set career highs with 52 receptions and 527 receiving yards, and he tied his career high with three touchdown catches. But Morgan isn t satisfied. He is slated to be a starter for the second year in a row, and he hopes to build on his 2009 campaign with an even bigger season in 2010. The third-year pro out of Virginia Tech is having a great training camp and preseason, but he can t wait for the regular season to begin. I m still a young guy who s looking to make a name for himself in the NFL, and I m feeling great heading into this season, Morgan said. Training camp is going well not only for me, but for the 49ers as a team. I know we all want the season to start because we want to show everyone in the League how good we are. Before Josh became an NFL wide receiver, he grew up just like any other kid. Find out what he was like when he was your age. My favorite animal was: Any big cat, lions, tigers, panthers All of those big cats. My favorite superheroes were: Like I said, I was really into sports. So I would have to say Jerry Rice and Michael Jordan. I know they weren t really superheroes, but they are in my eyes. My favorite vacation was: It wasn t really a vacation, but when I was younger I went to the Virgin Islands to play basketball in the Junior Olympics. I spent my summer vacations: Hanging out with my friends and playing a lot of basketball. My favorite holiday was: Christmas, I loved when the whole family came together. Plus, you have to love any holiday where you get presents. Tips for Success: I know everybody says this, but if you want to succeed in life you have to do well in school. Also, it s important to listen and respect your parents and other authority figures. I know you may always not agree with what they say, or maybe you don t understand why they ask you do certain things, but trust me, they have your best interests at heart.
Josh Morgan Poetry Contest How would you like to meet 49ers wide receiver Josh Morgan? Josh is giving a talented member of the 49ers Kids Club presented by See s Candies, the chance to do just that with his 2010 49ers Kids Club Poetry Contest. To enter, all you need to do is write a poem about 49ers Football. The contest s winner will get to meet and play catch with Josh at team headquarters, receive an autographed authentic NFL helmet signed by Josh, four (4) tickets to watch the 49ers take on the Oakland Raiders on October 17th at Candlestick Park, and will have their poem published in an upcoming issue of Playbook. Second place will receive two tickets to the Oakland Raiders game and a 49ers gift bag. The third best essay will receive a 49ers gift bag. All poems must be handwritten! At the end of your poem, please include your name, age, mailing address, and phone number so that we may contact you if you are the lucky winner. All poems must be mailed to the 49ers Kids Club by Friday, October 1st, 2010. Mail your essay to: Josh Morgan Poetry Contest 49ers Kids Club 4949 Centennial Blvd. Santa Clara, CA 95054 So, get started writing because this is the coolest homework assignment you will ever get!
Tips From the Trainer When getting back into school this year, make sure to stay hydrated! Water is the best way to stay on top of your game during the fall months. Head Athletic Trainer of the 49ers, Jeff Ferguson, says, we stress proper hydration to our football players. It s key to their competition and to their fitness on the field. To mix up flavors and still have healthy drinks, try soaking lemon or orange slices in your water jug for a couple hours! Fruit juice, soda, and coffee contain high levels of sugar (and some have caffeine) which does not help your body the same way milk and water can. Look at your body as a vehicle or car. You need the right gas and that means eating well and having proper fluids, says Ferguson. Bring a reusable water bottle to school each day and refill at lunch! Daily Intake of Beverages 1-3 years 4 cups 4-8 years about 5 cups 9-13 years about 8 cups for boys Visit Kids Country In Kids Country on 49ers.com, Sourdough Sam leads the way as you can play one of a dozen interactive games, learn about the 49ers various youth programs, pick up tips from the pros, check out all of the latest team photos, and much, much more! Some of the fun games, just to name a few, include: Alex Smith s QB Challenge, Sourdough Sam s Dot to Dot, and Blitz Botz 2: Sack Attack.Besides games, fans can learn about all of the 49ers youth programs like 49ers Kids Club, Youth Football and Total Access for Kids! In the Youth Football section of Kids Country, watch Youth Football videos, learn about the team s historical moments and read up on Tips From the Pros, informative football lessons from members of the 49ers.And last but not least, find out about the team s newest TV show, Total Access For Kids, which is set to debut this Fall. Visit 49ers.com/kidscountry to learn more!
PRESEASON REGULAR SEASON DATE Sun, Aug. 15 Sun, Aug. 22 Sat, Aug. 28 Thur, Sep. 2 Sun, Sep. 12 Mon, Sep. 20 Sun, Sep. 26 Sun, Oct. 3 Sun, Oct. 10 Sun, Oct. 17 Sun, Oct. 24 Sun, Oct. 31 Sun, Nov. 7 Sun, Nov. 14 Sun, Nov. 21 Mon, Nov. 29 Sun, Dec. 5 Sun, Dec. 12 Thur, Dec. 16 Sun, Dec. 26 Sun, Jan. 2 OPPONENT @ Indianapolis Minnesota @ Oakland San Diego @ Seattle New Orleans @ Kansas City @ Atlanta Philadelphia Oakland @ Carolina Denver* BYE St. Louis Tampa Bay @ Arizona @ Green Bay Seattle @ San Diego @ St. Louis Arizona (CB) (C) (C) (F) (F) (T) SEASON SCHEDULE TIME (PST) 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 1:15 PM 5:30 PM 5:20 PM 1:05 PM 1:15 PM 1:05 PM 5:30 PM 1:05 PM 5:20 PM 1:15 PM (T) COMMUNITY DRIVES CB (Children s Book) C (Coat) F (Food) T (New Toy) NETWORK CW 44 NBC CW 44 CBS-5 ESPN NBC CBS CBS ESPN NFLN ALL GAMES BROADCASTED ON KNBR 680 & 1050 AND 107.7 FM THE BONE. DATES & TIMES OF ALL GAMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE *INTERNATIONAL GAME TO BE PLAYED IN LONDON, ENGLAND 49ERS.COM 415.GO.49ERS
49ers Kids Club Members! Test your smarts by competing in the 49ers Just For Kids Challenge. If you d like to compete in this contest, please get your answers together and have your parent or legal guardian email them to 49erskidsclub@niners.nfl.com with Kids Trivia Challenge in the subject line. Emails must be received by September, 27 2010. Entries with the most correct answers will be entered into a drawing for a hat and t-shirt. Open to all kids 14 and under, with the consent of their parents. The 49ers Kids Club, Presented by See s Candies would like to congratulate last month s winner: Jessica, age 12, San Mateo Training Camp Challenge Questions: 1. How many points did the 49ers score in their four preseason games combined? 2. The 49ers recently signed running back Brian Westbrook. In his eight NFL seasons, Westbrook has 9,785 rushing yards and 3,372 receiving yards. How many total yards does he have in his career? 3. Which 49ers player hosts The Joe Show on TV49? 4. 49ers legend Jerry Rice was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. How many Super Bowl rings does the wide receiver have? 5. When is the 49ers home regular season opener and who do they play? Parent/Legal guardian, please provide us with your name, email address and child s first name. You will only be contacted via email if your child has won so that we may award your child the prize. With your permission, we will announce your child as the winner, first name, city and state only, for example, John, from Santa Clara, CA on 49ers.com and in next month s Kids Club Playbook. Bring this coupon to a See s shop for a FREE LOLLYPOP! Enjoy one of our yummy flavors Butterscotch Chocolate Vanilla Café Latté Valid only at See s Shop locations. Lollypop flavors subject to product availability. No cash value. No substitutions. Coupon good through 6/30/11. One coupon per visit. To find a See s Shop near you visit Sees.com. 51044444
Hall of Fame, The Perfect Fit for Rice By Scott Kegley Now that he s finally able to slow down, Rice reflected on the odds he was able to overcome after being drafted 16th overall in 1985 out of Mississippi Valley State. I wasn t the most physical or the fastest receiver in the NFL, but they never clocked me on the way to the end zone, Rice said with a smile. Many of his former teammates were on hand to support Rice, including fellow Hall of Famers Joe Montana, Steve Young and Ronnie Lott. But even with so many people in attendance, there was still somebody missing the coach who brought him into the NFL. CANTON, OHIO He s arguably the greatest player of all time, and unquestionably the hardest worker to ever play in the National Football League. And on August 7, Jerry Rice s labor of love earned him a spot in The Pro Football Hall of Fame, a fitting honor for the best wide receiver ever. From humble beginnings in Crawford, Mississippi, Rice went on to play in the NFL for two decades, spending 16 memorable years in a San Francisco 49ers uniform.rice set 14 NFL records, played on three Super Bowl winning teams and was named to 13 Pro Bowls, but being inducted as one of the game s all-time greats left him honored and humbled. Standing here today as the newest member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, feeling like a rookie all over again, I can honestly say this is the greatest team I have ever belonged to. The enshrinement was certainly well deserved the perfect ending to a legendary career. There are no more routes to run, no more touchdowns to score, no more records to set, Rice said. That young boy from Mississippi has finally stopped running. I miss Bill Walsh every day of my life, Rice said. I know he s up there looking down from heaven today smiling. What can I say about the genius, the legend? He would cast a spell on you just being in his presence. You wanted to win for this guy. Rice loved football, but he was also very grateful to the Faithful fans who helped propel him to greatness. The stadium was my stage, and I was there every Sunday to put on a performance, Rice said. I felt proud every time I put on that uniform. That s why I m still humbled to pose for pictures and to sign autographs. Rice posed once again for his fans at the induction, this time donning his gold Hall of Fame jacket which was custom-tapered to ensure Rice looked his best. When he felt perfect on the field, he was perfect on the field, former team owner Eddie DeBartolo said.
Sourdough Sam is now on Facebook! Sourdough Sam is now on Facebook! Become friends with Sourdough Sam at: www.facebook.com/sourdoughsam. Sam will be updating fans throughout the season about games, special events going on with the 49ers, and posting pictures of his adventures! Caption That Photo! Hey Kids Club Members! Have a funny caption for the photo above? Visit the Game Lobby in Kids Country If you d like to compete in this contest, have your parent or legal guardian submit your caption to 49erskidsclub@niners.nfl.com with Kids Club Caption Contest in the subject line. Emails must be received by September, 30 2010. The funniest caption will appear in next month s edition of Kids Club Playbook and the winner will receive a 49ers gift bag. Parent/Legal guardian, please provide us with your name, email address and child s first name. With your permission, we will announce your child as the winner, first name, city and state only, for example, John, from Santa Clara, CA in next month s Kids Club Playbook. Congratulations to last month s 49ers Kids Club Caption Contest winner: Paddy, age 7, Novato, CA.
September 2010
2010 KIDS CLUB MEMBERSHIP UPGRADE Upgrade your current Basic Kids Club Membership to a Gold Membership! As a 49ers Kids Club Gold Member, you will receive a drawstring backpack, keychain, temporary tattoos, mini pennant, magnet frame, pen, and decal sheet. Child s Name: In addition, you will now be eligible to win tickets to a 49er home game or even be the official Kick Off Kid! Gender: Boy Girl Child s DOB MM/DD/YY: Parent s Name: Parent/Guardian s Email: Cell Phone: Day Phone: Parent s Address: City, State, Zip: Parent s DOB MM/DD/YY: Please mail in this completed form along with your check or money order for $35 made payable to the San Francisco 49ers to the address below. 49ers Kids Club 4949 Centennial Blvd. Santa Clara, CA 95054