I am scrapping my normal 5 Burning Questions piece this week. Instead I am dedicating this to my father.
Growing up my dad was a tremendous athlete. He loved baseball, Mickey Mantle was his hero growing up, and he played it every chance he got. As he was nearing the end of high school he was good enough to have scouts from the Philadelphia Phillies come to town to watch him play, and offer him a contract to play for one of their farm teams. He did not sign that contract, instead he chose to stay in that small town and raise a family with his high school sweetheart.
Together they raised three children, a daughter and two sons. He taught them everything he knew, and passed along his love of athletics to each of them.
Whether it was cheerleading, football, or a baseball game he was there. He never missed anything. As a youngster I remember him telling me after a baseball game one day, "There's nothing that I enjoy more than to watch my kids compete."
And compete we did. My brother and I both played football in high school, quarterbacks, and then went on to play at the junior college level. Eventually I went into coaching, and my brother joined me on my coaching staff. Friday nigh lights belonged to our family. I can still see my dad hopping over the fence onto the field to congratulate us after winning a game that would send our team into the playoffs. I think he may have been more excited than we were.
Along the way he also shared his love for all of the local sports teams with us. Whether it was the 49ers, Giants, Warriors, or Stanford, we would go to games every year. He took me to see Willie McCovey, sat with my brother next to RC Owens, and took me on summer vacations to Rocklin where I was able to stand feet away from legends such as Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice and Bill Walsh as they went through training camp and at times scrimmaged.
It wasn't all perfect though. My mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that effects the ability for nerves to talk to each other and eventually leaves the person unable to move their muscles. My father spent 20 years taking care of her every day. As a family friend reminded me of today, he would actually carry her from her wheel chair into the stands so she could watch our games. And believe me when I say that his devotion went much deeper than that.
He was always there for all of us, in good times and bad. And it wasn't just us. This was a man who would take water out to the garbage man on a hot day, mow the grass for an elderly next door neighbor without being asked. He never hesitated to help anyone else, never asking for anything in return.
A few years after mom had passed he remarried. Not long after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and soon after came another diagnosis of Parkinson's. As was true to his nature he met the daily challenges by competing with dignity and grace.
He lost his battle this morning. Leaving behind a legacy that makes his children, extended family and friends proud.
For this week I want to pass along to the 49ers the same advice that he would give me before every game: Do your best, have fun, and most importantly KEEP YOUR COMPOSURE.
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lulucaliente
Tears are streaming down my face. I didn't have a dad like you did. You are a lucky man.
Nov 17, 2014 at 1:34 PM
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rjpbobp
Beautiful memories. Thank you for sharing, Jack - you dad obviously did a hellofagood job passing along his legacy and good teachings! Be well my friend.
Nov 16, 2014 at 9:38 AM
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Kempster
What a beautiful hommage to a great man. Legacy is the river that feeds the fields of generations to come, and his legacy--passed through you and others he touched-- will continue to flow onward.
Nov 16, 2014 at 8:23 AM
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Dmic
Jack- I hardly post but read your posts weekly. I am sorry for you loss and he sounds like a truly great man. My Condolences to you and your family.
Nov 16, 2014 at 7:28 AM
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AJ Bolino
Jack, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that memories of your Dad bring peace to you and your family. Be well, man.
Nov 15, 2014 at 4:21 AM
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Just The West
Well done Jack--my condolences to you and your family.
Nov 14, 2014 at 4:57 PM
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Paul A.
Jack,
My condolences to you and your family.
Our fathers live on through us, his memory will only grow throughout the years.
Nov 14, 2014 at 2:56 PM
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MWNiner
Jack ..
The eloquence of your words do
little to hide the pain behind them ..
My sincere and heartfelt condolences for
your loss ..
(I lost my Dad back in 2000 …
.. and I still miss him)
Nov 14, 2014 at 12:21 PM
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Mood_Indigo
Jack
Please accept my condolences on your loss.
Nov 14, 2014 at 11:52 AM
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Niner Al
So sorry for your loss Jack. Your eulogy was so very good as it captured the true essence of your Pops.
Nov 14, 2014 at 11:31 AM
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Scooter_McG
Sorry to hear of your loss Jack, but thank you for sharing. This was a wonderful and touching article, and your father leaves behind a legacy we should all aspire to.
Nov 14, 2014 at 11:19 AM
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Monsterniner
I´m sorry for your loss Jack and thanks for sharing this wonderful story. RIP to your dad.
Nov 14, 2014 at 11:07 AM
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George
Jack, your dad was certainly a great man. Very sorry for your loss.
Nov 14, 2014 at 10:53 AM
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gsixty
my grandma had MS, and my grandpa had Alzheimers. Sounds eerily similar
Nov 14, 2014 at 10:42 AM
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Rafael
Jack,
your father was a great man. He did it the right way and left one heck of a legacy. You and your siblings will always carry him and the lessons he taught you for the rest of your lives. Sorry for your loss.
Nov 14, 2014 at 10:23 AM
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Leo
Great article Jack!
I hope one day my two sons can say the same things about me. Sounds like a great man.
May God bless you and your family.
Nov 14, 2014 at 10:21 AM
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Dean
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a great man. Inspirational and encouraging article. Sorry for your loss. You have a terrific example to follow, emulate, and grow from.
Nov 14, 2014 at 10:03 AM
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KY49ER
Hammer I look up to men like your father. I try to do those things with my daughter now. Just so she can have those memories. Sorry for your loss.
Nov 14, 2014 at 9:44 AM
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Ricardo
I look forward to reading your articles week in and week out but never actually submit any comments. Today I felt compelled to. I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Your dad sounds like he was a great person who positively affected a lot of people. My sincere condolences to you and your loved ones.
Nov 14, 2014 at 9:23 AM
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Dallas Niner Fan
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in our prayers. Now, your dad and my dad will be together looking down from heaven to watch our favorite teams.
Nov 14, 2014 at 9:20 AM
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Ed
There can be no replacement for a father. the mark of a great father is one who can sacrifice though he may get nothing in return. It sounds like your father committed his entire life to serving others. by your testimony, we can all see he was successful in raising a caring human being. May your father's soul rest in peace and may you always have the proudest of memories of him
Nov 14, 2014 at 9:06 AM
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Webmaster
Jack, so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how tough this is. Your dad sounds like a great person and he will live on through you. Your contributions are always appreciated and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
Nov 14, 2014 at 9:01 AM
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Paul
My deepest condolences to you and your family Mr Hammer. Very beautiful and moving tribute to your father, he would be proud I'm sure. He sounds like a truly great man, husband and father.
Nov 14, 2014 at 8:58 AM
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Simon
Sorry for your loss Jack. You're so fortunate to have had such a wonderful father. You can never loose that. Take care.
Nov 14, 2014 at 8:56 AM
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Markie
Your dad is in a better place now. Carry on his legacy and remember the good times. Be strong and thank you for all the effort and time you put into this website. It's by far the best one out there. Been visiting this webpage since 2007.
Nov 14, 2014 at 8:52 AM
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Sean
Sorry for your loss...
Nov 14, 2014 at 8:51 AM
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Mohammad
Sorry for your loss. Looks like he was a great dad and role model. May god give you patience during this difficult time.
Nov 14, 2014 at 8:33 AM
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sergio lara
animo jack Dios bendiga a tú padre
Nov 14, 2014 at 8:31 AM
The first wave of free agency has come and gone, and the 49ers have had to say goodbye to a number of familiar faces while welcoming a few new ones. There's been a good amount of shuffling over the past week, but one thing remains clear -- the 49ers still have one of the best rosters in the NFL.
There's still more players to be added in the weeks ahead, both in the draft and in free agency. The 49ers still need depth and competition in a few areas, and maybe a new starter in a key spot on special teams. But with the way things look now, the 49ers could be looking at a fairly complete roster with very few weaknesses once they're done with their offseason moves.
Here's a look at where things stand by position as of March 17, along with some thoughts on where the
