Not many San Francisco 49ers fans were familiar with Montana wide receiver Junior Bergen, the seventh-round draft pick the team hopes will contribute as a returner on special teams. However, Bergen knows all about the Niners, as he's been a lifelong fan, a fact he shared during a conversation with team reporter Lindsey Pallares on Saturday.
"Yeah, 49ers been my team growing up," Bergen said. "My dad's a 49ers fan. His side of the family, 49ers fans, so I've been a 49ers fan my whole life, and I'm just excited to get out there."
Junior Bergen talks growing up a 49ers fan, his Draft experience, and more 👇 pic.twitter.com/k2XCI5CwMZ
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Bergen isn't the only 49ers draft pick with a father who's a fan. Former Kansas State safety Marques Sigle, the team's fifth-round pick, also hails from a family of diehard members of The Faithful.
"This is my dad's favorite team," Sigle told reporters after being drafted.
RELATED 5 things to know about 49ers seventh-round pick WR Junior Bergen
When Pallares asked Bergen who his favorite 49ers player of all time is, he quickly responded, "Probably T.O. (WR Terrell Owens)."
As for the current roster, Bergen is eager to play alongside wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, the team's first-round pick from last year, and quarterback Brock Purdy.
"Those guys are studs, and I just can't wait to get in the room and learn from them," Bergen said.
He added, "Since I was a little kid, I remember just dreaming of this moment and this opportunity, and I just can't wait to make the most of it."
General Manager John Lynch considered waiting until after the draft to acquire Bergen, but didn't want to risk him signing elsewhere, especially after special teams coordinator Brant Boyer and assistant special teams coach Colt Anderson kept advocating for the prospect.
"And so ultimately, I do think and believe that there's added value in returners with the adjustment to the kickoff and the touchbacks coming all the way out to the 35," Lynch explained. "Probably people are going to be less inclined to just kick it through the end zone, more return opportunities."
Bergen (5-10, 184) totaled 2,114 return yards and nine return touchdowns on special teams in college and aims to make the same type of impact in the NFL. He also accumulated 1,777 receiving yards, 577 rushing yards, and 18 total touchdowns on offense.
"So, to have a dynamic returner is probably a good thing," Lynch added. "And he'll go in there and compete, and he's done it really well at the smaller college level. And now he's going to get an opportunity to do it with us."
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