I sit here teary eyed at my office desk and 9:20am EST. I'm hurt, I can feel it in my chest, my throat and my heart. Walking into work this morning with 49ers argyle socks on my feet and proudly wearing a 49ers cap that is almost as beaten and worn out as the fanbase is, I'm thankful.
As fans we could play the blame game, analyze footage and try to figure out how our beloved 49ers let their 6th championship slip out of their hands last night. None of it matters, it is not in our control. Just as the wind blows, we only can adjust to what we're feeling and keep moving forward. What I feel more than anything is gratitude.
The 2019 San Francisco 49ers were a magical football team that was much more than that. This team felt like a family. A group of individuals from all different places in life but forming one purpose and one belief. Whether it be QB Jimmy Garoppolo fighting to return from a devastating ACL injury, controversial DE Nick Bosa fitting in with a new environment, S Jimmie Ward finally being healthy enough to showcase his talents or undrafted free agents Kendrick Bourne and Raheem Mostert becoming legitimate starters and key pieces of the offense; this team was unified. When reading comments from the players, often you heard the term "love" used. This was a group of men who loved each other and believed in each other.
Remember the Browns game on Monday Night Football and how joyous you were when Nick Bosa sacked Baker Mayfield and planted the flag. Remember Jeff Wilson Jr. playing one play against Arizona and winning the game on that one play. Remember the unstoppable George Kittle dragging Saints defenders for 15 yards in the SuperDome on 4th and 2. Remember 3rd and 16, twice. Remember Dre Greenlaw dropping Jacob Hollister. Remember winning an NFC Championship game throwing the ball eight times. Remember Garoppolo missing Emmanuel Sanders on 3rd and 10. Remember it all.
Only two teams get to the first Sunday in February, one of them gets a trophy and the other gets another story to tell that will make getting that trophy even sweeter in the future. The 49ers may have failed yesterday, but they gave the fans so many memories over the past six months. I will forever be grateful for having the opportunity to watch the 49ers play in the Super Bowl with my two daughters by my side. When I told Gabriela, my amazing five-year-old, that the 49ers lost the Super Bowl she broke out in tears. All I could do was wrap my arms around her and feel the love between the two of us. We held each other closely, and we were together in that moment. It was beautifully bitter. I'm certain so many felt the same way I felt with my daughter that night. Remember those feelings. This is what makes this game mean so much. Remember those moments with the ones you love on February 2nd, 2020 and remember the 49ers gave you these moments.
So, thank you, 49ers. Thank you to all the players who poured their minds into studying film and learning playbooks while sacrificing their bodies on the field. Thank you, Jed York, for doing your best to find the leaders this franchise needs to bring it a championship. Thank you, Kyle Shanahan, Robert Saleh and the entire coaching staff for putting in tireless days perfecting game plans and doing your best to place these players in positions to win. Most of all, thank you Faithful 49ers fans. It was such a pleasure to see Levi's Stadium electrified with the energy and passion that we have for this team.
- Gilbert Brink
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Written by:49ers outsider, residing in the Hudson Valley, representing 30+ years of the 49ers experience
