Remember going to a 49ers game in the 1970s and '80s and the only team colors you could see in the stands were specks of red on a hat, a T-shirt, a blanket or one of those classic satin gold jackets?
These days, a 49ers game – or any NFL game, for that matter – means a sea of color. And last Saturday's divisional playoff game against the Packers at Candlestick Park was another example of the NFL cashing in with apparel sales. Fans of all ages displayed their favorite colors and players.
Joe Montana's No. 16, Steve Young's 8, even a John Brodie 12, roamed the 'Stick. There were plenty of Colin Kaepernick No. 7s, of course, some Jerry Rice 80s, a Ronnie Lott 42 and a few odd O.J. Simpson 32s, though there wasn't a single Jim Druckenmiller 14 or a J.J. Stokes 83 to be seen.
But there was a David Akers' No. 2 – yes, the kicker who has given 49ers fans plenty to fret about this season.
"I can relate to a kicker and what they go through because I was a goalkeeper for years – hero or goat," said Lonnie Mullick, 65, an aviation analyst.
Mullick's 34-year-old daughter Jaclyn was nearby – wearing Kaepernick's number.
"Hey, I go with flash and fun, and I'm superstitious – since I've worn this, we've been on a roll," Jaclyn said.
What to watch
NBA, Kings at Memphis, 5 p.m., CSNCA: The Grizzlies have lost three games in a row, including a blowout to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. Is that good or bad for the Kings?
Today's poll
Who is your all-time favorite 49ers player?
• John Brodie
• Dwight Clark
• Roger Craig
• Colin Kaepernick
• Ronnie Lott
• Joe Montana
• Jerry Rice
• Steve Young
• Other
Vote above or leave your comments in the comment field; or, go to www.sacbee.com/sports
Thursday's poll results
Which matchup would you like to see in the Super Bowl?
• 49ers-Ravens: 48%
• 49ers-Patriots: 37%
• Falcons-Ravens: 8%
• Falcons-Patriots: 7%
Total votes: 455
Be an expert, too
Think you can you pick football games as well as The Bee's experts? Here's your chance. Pick the winners of Sunday's NFL conference championship games and the total score. Of those who hit the mark, we will select a winner at random to join us in making picks for the Super Bowl on Feb. 3 in our sports section. Go to:
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
• Read more articles by Joe Davidson
Order Reprint
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "Report Abuse" link below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.