Following the game, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin failed to give a reasonable explanation on the meaning behind "Celek Time." On Wednesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the term.
"I heard Marquise try to explain it," Shanahan said while laughing. "He didn't do a very good job. We just joke around. It started with the Giants game (the other 67-yard performance by Celek this season) when he made a big catch. I think he false started or someone, but it sent us back. Then he ended up making three plays in a row, a critical play to get us into like a third-and-two and then he moved the chains for us.
"And then that next play, he had that pass versus the Giants where he caught like a 20-yard pass and made a guy miss and took it to the house. We just started joking there that they didn't realize that it was 'Celek Time' and it kind of stuck.
"We thought it was a one-time deal but it came up again last week so now we're getting used to it and guys enjoy it."
Below is the touchdown play against the New York Giants, to which Shanahan referred.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo also discussed "Celek Time."
"It's exciting," Garoppolo said. "The guys love it. He's one of the fan favorites in the locker room, you could say. It's just one of those things that gets everyone going."
RELATED
Another thing that gets everyone going is the journey from the locker room to the football field with Shanahan's administrative assistant, Nick Kray, carrying out a massive boombox. The music follows as players march through the tunnel. You can see it in the video below provided by Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Shanahan was asked about team's the recent ritual.
"I was told the players asked for it," Shanahan said. "They said it was a little too dull when they left. We have music in our locker room and there was a time when they left the locker room and they had to go on a little bit of a walk and sometimes they would sit in the tunnel before they had to go out and they lose their energy because they didn't have good music going. We got them music."
Garoppolo is excited about his first start in front of the Levi's Stadium home crowd. One thing he learned to do is to refer to the 49ers fanbase correctly.
"It will be fun," Garoppolo said. "Our home fans, The Faithful, I found out. I got some heat for that for saying '49ers Nation.' But The Faithful, they're an awesome fanbase so it will be fun to get in front of them this Sunday."
How did Garoppolo learn that he misspoke when referring to the 49ers fanbase following this past Sunday's game in Houston?
"My friend sent me a couple of tweet reactions," Garoppolo said while smiling. "They didn't get on me. It was in a good way. I don't know who they were specifically. My friends, in a group text, all texted me and were like, 'Man, you've got to get this right, man. Come on, these are your fans now.' It was just a little funny thing."
If Garoppolo keeps playing like he has been, fulfills the fans' expectations, and wins a few Super Bowls, he can probably call the Niner Faithful whatever he likes.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
The Most Faithful: How 49ers Fans Dominate Home and Road Games
Having home-field advantage is important in all sports. The Boston Garden, home of the Boston Celtics, was famous for its lack of air conditioning and the team's playoff record. College stadiums have nicknames that proclaim the difficulty of winning there as an opposing team.... -
Kyle Shanahan recalls 49ers' talks with Philip Rivers—and what it meant for Brock Purdy
The San Francisco 49ers stayed in touch with Philip Rivers throughout the 2022 season—just in case the veteran quarterback was needed. After injuries sidelined Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, the depth chart grew thin, and an inexperienced rookie by the name Brock Purdy... -
What Kyle Shanahan and others said after 49ers' 37-24 win vs. Titans
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and several others spoke with reporters after Sunday's 37-24 Week 15 win over the Tennessee Titans. Here is what they said. Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff. 49ers Head Coach Kyle... -
49ers' Kyle Shanahan confirms Brandon Aiyuk's absence, addresses uncertain future
Over the weekend, the San Francisco 49ers announced they placed wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list, officially ending his season—and potentially his future with the team. NFL insider Matt Maiocco reported that the 49ers have been unable to keep tabs on...