This is something I've been wondering about over the last few years: Why aren't some of the all-time Niner greats more involved with the team, be it as paid coaches, special advisors/consultants, or whatever? I'm not saying they should be as of course they should live their lives after football any way they choose...I'm just wondering if there's some reason that's keeping them at a distance (Denise York? more below).
If I was a team beat writer such as Barrows or Maiocco, this would be a story I'd do some investigative work on and get to the bottom of. Guys like Lott helping out with the DBs and offering incredible insight/coaching from his past experiences and successes, especially in helping out and inspiring the younger players on the team. Whenever I see footage of Lott addressing the team during his playing days, I get fired up! You could go on and on…Rice for the WR spot (Niners need all the help they can get at that position...and, who wouldn't listen to the greatest WR of all time?)...Young for the QBs (he's very smart and obviously very well-spoken...could easily articulate his thoughts and of course knows the game and the QB position like the back of his hand)...Brent Jones for the TEs (again, very well spoken, etc.)...Keena Turner for the LBs...there's more, and a lot of these guys are still right here in the Bay Area.
The only person from the team's past glory years involved with the team in coaching, etc., is Rathman. I do wonder if for some reason the Yorks want to completely separate the past from the current and future teams. If this is true, what a shame and what a waste. We know about the friction between Eddie D. and his sister. However, Jed was around the Niners a lot during his younger years w/ Eddie D. so he may have a different outlook than his mom and dad...maybe he could eventually bridge the past players with the current/future players going forward. Who knows...I can only hope.
[ Edited by LottDMontanaO on Nov 29, 2013 at 1:41 PM ]