Four years later: ‘Niner Waldo,’ who braved a Seahawks victory parade in 49ers gear, shares his story

Dec 20, 2017 at 11:31 AM--


Do you remember Ronnie Andrews? He's the 15-year-old San Francisco 49ers fan who daringly walked the parade to celebrate the Seattle Seahawk's Super Bowl XLVIII championship in 2014. He stood out among the more than 700,000 Seahawks fans because he was dressed from head to toe in 49ers gear.

Catherine Tate, a 49ers fan who is the co-founder of the Ladies of the Empire, set up a campaign to get Andrews to a game at Levi's Stadium during the inaugural season. At the time, Andrews was living in homeless shelters. Tate offered her 50-yard line seats to the young man while the GoFundMe campaign paid for airfare, lodging, and other necessities for his trip.

It has been nearly four years since Andrews went viral. He is 19 years old now. On Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area shared his story in Andrews' own words via an Instagram post.

Below is what Andrews had to say.

"I got discovered when I went to the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl parade in February of 2014. I was wearing all 49ers clothing. I really wasn't recognized at first, but then as I got deeper into Seattle, people started taking pictures. I walked through the parade later on that night, and it was cool. I just thought everything was normal, but then I had random Seahawks fans telling me that I was famous. When I got home, I finally looked online and saw I got blown up on Facebook. At the time I was 15 years old. Everybody saw who I was. I was called 'Niner Waldo.' I was in a homeless shelter at that time, just trying to live and do my thing, go to school and get good grades. I was born in Reno and was raised in Seattle. My parents were 49ers fans. I always grew up liking the Niners, so it runs in the family. With all the Seahawks fans, it made it easier for me to be a 49ers fan in Seattle. I grew into a big Faithful. I was in homeless shelters from the time I was 14. My dad and I didn't have a good relationship. . . abusive, all of that stuff. My mom, we didn't have a relationship, in general. I really didn't have much family, so I left on my own and have been on my own since then. At that time, when 49ers fans started to see who I was, and when they heard my story, they started to recognize what I was going through. I had many, many 49ers and Seahawks fans – all teams, pretty much – help me. My friend Jason (49ers season-ticket holder) was the first one to come into my life and really change it and help make sure that I was going to be stable. All the Niners fans have supported me as much as they could. I'm still in Seattle. Now, I'm into aerospace engineering. I'm trying to go to college and start a career."

"I got discovered when I went to the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl parade in February of 2014. I was wearing all 49ers clothing. I really wasn't recognized at first, but then as I got deeper into Seattle, people started taking pictures. I walked through the parade later on that night, and it was cool. I just thought everything was normal, but then I had random Seahawks fans telling me that I was famous. When I got home, I finally looked online and saw I got blown up on Facebook. At the time I was 15 years old. Everybody saw who I was. I was called 'Niner Waldo.' I was in a homeless shelter at that time, just trying to live and do my thing, go to school and get good grades. I was born in Reno and was raised in Seattle. My parents were #49ers fans. I always grew up liking the Niners, so it runs in the family. With all the Seahawks fans, it made it easier for me to be a 49ers fan in Seattle. I grew into a big Faithful. I was in homeless shelters from the time I was 14. My dad and I didn't have a good relationship. . . abusive, all of that stuff. My mom, we didn't have a relationship, in general. I really didn't have much family, so I left on my own and have been on my own since then. At that time, when 49ers fans started to see who I was, and when they heard my story, they started to recognize what I was going through. I had many, many 49ers and #Seahawks fans – all teams, pretty much – help me. My friend Jason (49ers season-ticket holder) was the first one to come into my life and really change it and help make sure that I was going to be stable. All the Niners fans have supported me as much as they could. I'm still in Seattle. Now, I'm into aerospace engineering. I'm trying to go to college and start a career." #49ersFanPortrait

A post shared by Matt Maiocco (@maiocconbcs) on




Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

Four reasons why the 49ers won't trade Brandon Aiyuk

By Marc Adams
Mar 24

While rumors have continued to swirl about the possibility of the San Francisco 49ers trading star wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, some have held fast to the belief that the 49ers will not trade the player. Teams are calling about Aiyuk. Reportedly, the Jacksonville Jaguars were interested but felt the 49ers asking price was too high. And who could forget the talk of Aiyuk going to Pittsburgh when he fanned the trade rumor flames with a social media post about how he and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin look alike? (Now that he mentions it, they do kind of look alike.) But when push comes to shove, will the 49ers really consider trading Aiyuk? I suppose if the price is right, they will. But they've invested so much in him, from taking him 25th overall in the 2020 NFL draft to


placeholder image

Charvarius Ward willing to help 49ers land Tre'Davious White

By David Bonilla
Mar 18

The San Francisco 49ers likely aren't finished fortifying their defense and have reportedly expressed interest in bolstering their defensive backfield. If they require assistance making a significant move, one 49ers player is prepared to lend a helping hand. Last week, the Buffalo Bills released All-Pro cornerback Tre'Davious White, who appears to be an ideal fit for San Francisco's needs opposite Charvarius Ward. Over the weekend, Ward took to social media to reveal that he and White share the same agent and that he is willing to nudge the free-agent defensive back in the right direction. Ward described White as a "hand in glove


placeholder image

49ers signing QB Josh Dobbs to a 1-year deal

By David Bonilla
Mar 18

The San Francisco 49ers are bolstering their quarterback room by adding a new player. According to his agent, Mike McCartney, the team is signing Josh Dobbs to a one-year deal. McCartney announced the news on social media, confirming the acquisition. Congrats @josh_dobbs1 agreeing to a 1 year deal with the @49ers— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 18,


placeholder image

No Huddle Podcast: What Are The 49ers' Plans For The Future?

By Site Staff
Mar 19

(Episode 322) — Al Sacco and Brian Renick react to the Zach Wilson rumors, what the 49ers should look for in QB2, negative Al speaks up, how the offensive side of the ball is complete for now, replacing all of the superstars will be a challenge, why the 49ers need to draft well this year and next, and more. Note: This episode was recorded before news of Josh Dobbs' signing. The audio for the show is embedded above. Remember to subscribe! You can listen to the latest "No Huddle Podcast" episode above, from our dedicated podcast page, on


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone