Heard something interesting about Dr. York | Page 3

Robert · 2012-03-22T13:09:36-07:00

Or at least I found it interesting. A guy I know (and yes, that's the extent of source provided, so consider this as a rumor, not a fact) knows Dr. York. This guy has a very different take on York than I have seen portrayed in the media, which up until now is all I have relied on to form my own opinion of York, frankly. He said Dr. York is actually an incredibly nice, down to earth, kind and generous man. Not a typo. Generous. So, I protested, what the hell is with all the horror stories from back in the day of Gatorade bottles being locked up and charging for stamps. His explanation? Dr. York is an extreme introvert (think Ricky Williams and keep going). To the point where York is painfully socially awkward. He literally can't interpret how others (especially, in the media) will anticipate his moves. So, York was trying to the run the business the way he would run any old run of the mill business, becuase he had no idea how a football team is percieved differently from any other business. He's terrified of publicity and public exposure in general. And he never asked to be in charge of one of the most media exposed team in the most media focused industry in the sports world. Rather, he was pinch hitting for his wife... Which brings me to Denise. According to this same guy, while Dr. York may be a severe introvert, next to Denise, he's practically the Situation. Denise York is, according to this guy, the polar opposite of her brother. She may suffer from agoraphobia. She won't even leave Youngstown to come to watch her own team play. It's hard for her to even leave the house. So, inevitably, when two super socially awkward introverts are thrown into the blinding limelight of owning an NFL franchise (thanks to Eddie getting his hand caught in the cookie jar), bad press happens, then worse press, then worse press. Word is, that's why Dr. York couldn't wait to hand the reins over to Jed (who was less than 30 when he took over), because Dr. York literally could not be a successful CEO of an NFL team, with all the public exposure it requires. Hearing all this helped explained a lot for me which was previously pretty confusing (why the franchise seems to now be going in the right direction, after spending a decade going in the wrong direction, all under the same ownership). Kind of helps me to let go of my Dr. York hate, and, in truth, kind of feel sorry for the dude. Rough spot to be in. Anyway, just thought I'd share for anyone interested. Thanks.

Mar 22, 2012 at 2:31 PM

#31

KowboyKiller
Veteran
Posts: 6,991

I believe it too, and it's something I'd always suspected to be true. Dude didn't want to be an NFL owner, his wife just became one and hated the spotlight and made him do it.

Thank the Tebow that Jed was brought up to do this job, is a natural with the media and groomed for the job by the one and only Eddie D. I see good things.

Mar 22, 2012 at 2:31 PM

#32

doodle
Veteran
Posts: 1,175

This explains a lot. My brother met Dr. York a few times and said he was a real nice guy.

One thing I'm not clear about though, couldn't they just have given the team back to Eddie after the year suspension was up? I thought that's what fueled a decent amount of hatred, besides the decade or so of futility.

Mar 22, 2012 at 2:32 PM

#33

English
Moderator
Posts: 41,432

Put the blame where it belongs.

TDon.

Mar 22, 2012 at 2:34 PM

#34

DirtyP
Member
Posts: 1,210

York was one of the worst owners in the NFL the entire time he was actively involved with the team. Of course its not all his fault and I don't think anyone thought he was a bad person. Just a very bad owner.

Mar 22, 2012 at 2:43 PM

#35

English
Moderator
Posts: 41,432

Originally posted by DirtyP:
York was one of the worst owners in the NFL the entire time he was actively involved with the team. Of course its not all his fault and I don't think anyone thought he was a bad person. Just a very bad owner.

No, I completely disagree. He started off dismally but started to learn from his mistakes. On Bill Walsh's advice he brought in TDon which was a bit like letting the AntiChrist have the keys to the Vatican. But York learned and improved, which is about all anyone can do. But the fanhood, bitter about Eddie, refused to see any good.

Mar 22, 2012 at 2:50 PM

#36

stepnez
Veteran
Posts: 259

Originally posted by susweel:
Dr York can go to hell. Because of him I had to watch a decade worth of crappy football.

but you still got to watch football

Mar 22, 2012 at 2:50 PM

#37

Marvin49
Hall of Fame
Posts: 16,506

Originally posted by English:
Put the blame where it belongs.

TDon.

This.

Mar 22, 2012 at 2:51 PM

#38

Marvin49
Hall of Fame
Posts: 16,506

Originally posted by English:

Originally posted by DirtyP:
York was one of the worst owners in the NFL the entire time he was actively involved with the team. Of course its not all his fault and I don't think anyone thought he was a bad person. Just a very bad owner.

No, I completely disagree. He started off dismally but started to learn from his mistakes. On Bill Walsh's advice he brought in TDon which was a bit like letting the AntiChrist have the keys to the Vatican. But York learned and improved, which is about all anyone can do. But the fanhood, bitter about Eddie, refused to see any good.

...and this.

Mar 22, 2012 at 2:54 PM

#39

mod
Veteran
Posts: 42,484

now that I think about it... I've never ever seen Denise at a game...

Mar 22, 2012 at 2:58 PM

#40

ChipDouglas510
RIP ChipDouglas510
Posts: 19,157

I met him at the Niners draft party a few years ago, he shook my hand and thanked me for coming, seemed genuine...my friends were mad at me for not punching him...lol

Mar 22, 2012 at 2:59 PM

#41

Marvin49
Hall of Fame
Posts: 16,506

Originally posted by modninerfan:
now that I think about it... I've never ever seen Denise at a game...

I saw her once on Monday night football in a suite. As soon as she saw that the camera was on her, she got up and moved so they couldn't see her.

Mar 22, 2012 at 3:04 PM

#42

Afrikan
Veteran
Posts: 23,715

I've always heard Dr. York was very giving when it came to charity.....so I can see where the generosity came from.

but yeah the description makes sense. I mean I'm sure anyone would wonder, why the hell would an owner give controls of a whole NFL franchise to his son? who was in his mid 20's at the time.

I can also see how that slime Mike Nolan suckered them with his power point presentations.

[ Edited by Afrikan on Mar 22, 2012 at 3:05 PM ]

Mar 22, 2012 at 3:04 PM

#43

DJD
Veteran
Posts: 2,806

Having seen Jon unimposingly, almost nervously, walking across the main floor at the annual draft party a few times. A large scale party he's put on for free I might add, I was left with the same impression. Here is a guy that bothers to put a party together like that and then doesn't want the spotlight to make sure everyone knows he did it. The story you share rings true to me.

[ Edited by DJD on Mar 22, 2012 at 3:38 PM ]

Mar 22, 2012 at 3:12 PM

#44

TheRambler
Veteran
Posts: 38,350

Rare long post in Niner Talk that was worth reading. Thanks for that.

Mar 22, 2012 at 3:14 PM

#45

Jesu80ncleats
Veteran
Posts: 2,527

Originally posted by WillistheWall:

Originally posted by Marvin49:

Originally posted by Oldschool9erfan:
Dr. York is an idiot.

He pissed off Walsh.

He fired Mariucci on a whim because we got worked by Tampa bay in the playoffs and Mariucci played it safe at halftime.

Tossed away the great niner tradition.

Didn't work with the City to keep the team in the city.

Made bonehead moves and finally turned the team over to his son which is working out better when Jed finally learned not to make "any football decisions."

It's been a decade of awfulness until the stars aligned and they got Jim Harbaugh.......WE GOT REALLY LUCKY.

Wow. I never thought I'd defend John York....but.....

He fired Mariucci because he was advised by the real culprit for the 49ers falling apart, Terry Donahue. Donahue was appointed by Bill Walsh, so York was trusting in Walsh's decision.

He then made some bad decisions, no doubt, but I just think he was in over his head.

While he may not be good at running a football team, the 49ers are leaving SF because of circumstance and the city itself. Eddie D couldn't get stadium built there either.

I give him credit for knowing that and turning over the reigns to Jed.

this

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