Eddie DeBartolo, Jr.'s generosity is legendary, and today one of his former employees threw another tale onto that legend. Brian Billick is the former coach of the Ravens and he'll be the color announcer for Sunday's game between the 49ers and Seahawks. In 1979, he was a young public relations worker for the 49ers. He said he had just gotten married, didn't have very much money but was trying to buy a house in San Mateo. Back then interest rates were a wee bit higher than they were today - around 16 percent. Billick said he crunched the numbers and realized he couldn't make the purchase ... that is until a team employee handed him a check for $25,000. It was from Eddie D. (Hey, math wizards. What's that worth in 2009 dollars?)
"You remember those acts of kindness," said Billick, who was watching the 49ers practice on Friday. Billick said there were no strings attached to DeBartolo's gift and no timeline for which to repay it, which Billick did. In fact, the ambitious Billick left town about seven months later. "I sold it and made a fortune off of it," he said.
DeBartolo Jr. is in town this weekend as he will be the first enshrinee into the newly created 49ers hall of fame. He also will be honored at halftime of Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
*********************
After practice Mike Singletary said that Tony Pashos would be worked into the lineup at right tackle on Sunday. Adam Snyder will start the game, but Pashos' inclusion in the game plan is not good news for Snyder, who struggled against the Cardinals.
Receiver Brandon Jones was out of his black practice jersey, which signals he is ot to be hit, but he is doubtful for Sunday's game. Singletary it had nothing to do with his shoulder injury, which has healed nicely, but is due instead to Jones not yet being in game shape. Ahmad Brooks (knee) has been working out on a side field this week but is ruled out for the Seahawks game.
Meanwhile in Seattle, WR Deion Branch (hamstring), CB Travis Fisher (hamstring), T Walter Jones (knee), DT Brandon Mebane (calf), C Chris Spencer (quadricep), and LB Lofa Tatupu (hamstring) are all questionable. WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back spasms), S C.J. Wallace (rib) are probable and LB LeRoy Hill (groin) is out.
-- Matt Barrows
