Filed under: Editorial | Tags: 49ers vs seahawks, dick nolan, dick nolan dies, dick nolan tribute, mike nolan
As a late bloomer 49er fan, I came into the fold the day of Bill Walsh’s last game, Super Bowl XXIII. I was enamored with the way Joe Montana led his team down the field and the way that everyone on the team did what they were asked to do. It really was my earliest introduction to football as it should be played. Since I knew nothing of football, the 49ers were the birthplace of my fandom, aside from being the team of Gold Rush country, in which I was born.
I didn’t quite grasp who Bill Walsh was or what he meant to the team and the city, but I soaked up all the 49ers history that I could, I read one of Bill Walsh’s books, and I began to play football myself. All I knew about 49er football revolved around Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Tom Rathman, Brent Jones, etc. and of course one of the greatest coaches in history, Bill Walsh.
I didn’t know the name of any other 49er coach except Bill Walsh, but that changed with the hiring of Mike Nolan. Here was a man who understood the legacy of the 49ers, and whose respect and affection for the franchise predated even Candlestick Park. Mike Nolan was not a part of the Bill Walsh coaching tree, but the son of the first 49er coach to have a sustained period of success. He was still a member of the 49er family, though his coaching career was not directly tied to the franchise.
Perhaps tonight on Monday Night Football, we’ll see a little more outward emotion from Mike Nolan. Perhaps tonight we’ll see his players rise above the norm and play the best they ever have. Perhaps the spirits of Bill Walsh and Dick Nolan will be with this team tonight. Monday Night under the lights is where magic happens, and in week one against the Cardinals, it was the one game where Alex Smith showed a little of that 49er magic. It’s also the site of Smith’s most magical game last season, a night game with a dry 2nd half uniform and another 2nd half comeback.
Either way, this game is one for memories of the past, and looking forward to the future. God rest your soul, Dick Nolan. You raised a good son.
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We Have Been Fortunate – I Grew Up On Kezar 49ers (first game i went to my straight arrow father had me sneak into the game insde his coat, me walking inbetween his legs under his coat, us against the cleveland browns) And Watched Them Move On And Up To C-Stick. The First Coach I Got Know Was Mr. Nolan And I Noticed My High School Coach’s Style Seemed To Resemble His. I Still Value The Lessons I Leaned From Being On The Field Or Next To It, Life Lessons. I Continue To Learn By Watching Games. I Live Very Far From Away From Those Fields And Try To Find My Way Back For A Game On Bill Walsh Field At C-Stick Every Year Or Two, But Those Lessons Never Leave Me. Thank You Older Coach Nolan And Coach Walsh For So Much. Thank You Younger Coach Nolan For Everything So Far (great things are on the way-hang in there and rock on) Prayers Out To Eveyone – Our Fathers Who Are In Heaven… Aloha
Comment by Buck Makaha November 12, 2007 @ 7:49 pmThanks for your comments. Good to know Dick Nolan left that kind of legacy. Hopefully people learn a little something about class from Mike Nolan.
Comment by indianajim November 12, 2007 @ 8:12 pm