49ers notes: Witherspoon rolls with criticism, Armstead to honor Pleasant Grove coach
Ahkello Witherspoon can handle the heat. He “rolls with it” accordingly.
He has no choice, really.
For starters, the Christian Brothers High School graduate is a cornerback, making him a prime target by NFL quarterbacks since the 49ers drafted him in the third round of the 2017 draft, and especially so the past two seasons with All-Pro Richard Sherman prowling the other corner spot.
Witherspoon has had his moments, promising and otherwise, over 29 career starts. He had an encouraging rookie season and was benched during the 2018 season before a strong finish.
He sealed this season’s opening game in Tampa Bay for San Francisco with an interception return for a touchdown, then missed six games with a foot injury. He returned, picked up steam and then was taken to task on social media by fans who double as defensive-coordinator experts in the regular-season finale in Seattle when Russell Wilson of the Seahawks connected on two touchdown strikes, leading to a return trip to the bench.
The 49ers won and clinched home-field advantage, leading to Saturday’s NFC Divisional playoff contest at Levi’s Stadium against Minnesota.
“It’s been a crazy ride,” Witherspoon told The Bee earlier this week, speaking beyond being a late-bloomer who grew seven inches from high school days to his Sacramento City College tour that led him to the Pac-12 and Colorado.
“I remind myself all the time. I don’t take any of this for granted. Really am blessed. And the criticism? It’s part of what I signed up for. I’m harder on myself than anyone. I’m able to prevail, adapt and move on,” he said.
Witehrspoon’s Twitter account profile reads, “Trust Your Struggles. Pray Often.”
The praying part isn’t specific to being a cornerback trying to cover deep balls to the end zone. Witherspoon is a man of faith. The social media heat?
“If I go off all the polarities on social media, I’d be all over the place,” Witherspoon said with a laugh. “Tunnel vision and keep on moving.”
49ers general manager John Lynch chatted with Witherspoon during pre-game warmups. An hour later, Witherspoon was burned on Minnesota’s first touchdown, a 41-yard strike to Stefon Diggs - and benched. The life of a cover corner.
Armstead to honor Pleasant Grove coach
49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead on Jan. 23 at the Fairmont in San Francisco will recognize his Pleasant Grove High School football coach for his impact on his life for the 6th Annual Coaching Corps Game Changer Awards.
It featuers top Bay Area professional athletes celebrating the influence of a coach in their life. Armstead was coached by Joe Cattolico, who views his one-time prep All-American as a better person than he is a player.
“Coach Cat means the world to me,” Armstead said this week.
The event supports the Coaching Corps’ mission to provide youth from low-income communities access to well-trained coaches.
49ers tidbits
▪ San Francisco’s last home playoff game was six years, 11 months and 22 days ago. Or, Jan. 12, 2013 at Candlestick Point against Green Bay, when the hottest thing in football — Colin Kaepernick — rushed for 181 yards, passed for 263 and accounted for four touchdowns. The 49ers reached the Super Bowl that season.
▪ The only 49ers with Super Bowl victories to their pedigree as starters are receiver Emmanuel Sanders with Pittsburgh and cornerback Richard Sherman with Seattle. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo won two rings as a backup to Tom Brady.
▪ NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell chatted with 49ers legend Jerry Rice on the field 90 minutes before kickoff Saturday.
▪ A 49ers honorary game captain was a familiar face: Joe Montana. Joe Cool led the franchise to four Super Bowl triumphs. It might have been five if not for his uncharacteristically off day in a 36-24 divisional playoff loss to Minnesota to end the 1987 season, throwing a temporary dent into the dynasty. It was the first time Montana was benched in a game.
▪ Minnesota’s roster includes reserve linebacker Cameron Smith, a member of The Bee’s All-Decade prep team while with Granite Bay (a list that also includes Armstead). He is a rookie from USC. Minnesota’s practice squad includes one-time Folsom High record-setter Jake Browning.
▪ Saturday marked San Francisco’s 22nd playoff appearance since 1980, second to New England in that stretch. the 49ers also trail the Patriots since 1980 in division championships (20 to 17), playoff games (53 to 44), Super Bowl appearances (11 to six) and Super Bowl victories (six to five).
This story was originally published January 11, 2020 at 1:09 PM.