It would be safe to say that the San Francisco 49ers had kind of a busy weekend. Ninerville was, and still is, the focus of a lot of attention after Colin Kaepernick sat for the National Anthem, protesting racial injustice and police brutality. By Sunday, the world was watching and talking about Kaepernick’s stance. Kaepernick held a team meeting that morning and spoke to the media.
But, their work for the weekend was not done, as the 49ers’ hosted the 10th Annual Pasta Bowl to raise money for the 49ers Foundation, specifically supporting City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley, Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) and the Silicon Valley Education Foundation for the 49ers STEM Leadership Institute’s Chevron STEMZONE.
“This means a lot,” said linebacker NaVorro Bowman. “The 49ers’ Foundation has been doing so much for the community over the past years, to kickoff the tenth one is huge. It’s always important to the organization and the players…[K]eeping kids on track and keeping them in school is pretty much the main thing. It sends them on the right path.”
The Niners kick off the season every year with this event, and almost 700 fans were treated to an Italian dinner with the team, the coaches, CEO Jed York, GM Trent Baalke and Team President Al Guido.
For tight end Vance McDonald, it’s a great opportunity to bond with teammates in a different way.
“Just seeing the people that support the 49ers…companies, organizations, and leaders here in the Bay Area that love us and love what the 49ers are about, it’s nice,” said McDonald.” It’s a break up from football. You get to enjoy laughs and make some memories with guys and with some people you’ve never met before.”
Even with everything going on with the team, WR Torrey Smith tried to keep his focus on the evening at hand.
“I think the food’s going to be good,” said Smith. “That’s why everyone’s really here. No one planned or knew that was going to happen. It kind of is what it is. We’ll deal with it. We all talked about it a little bit earlier. Right now, we’re just trying to focus on this food. I’m actually starving so I’m excited about it.”
And it was a great night all around. Fans were able to talk to and take photos with players, enjoy a good dinner, and support the 49ers’ Foundation’s mission to create programs for underserved youth that work to keep them “Safe, On Track, and In School.”
And who had the biggest line of fans waiting for pictures and autographs? Kaepernick. It’s football time. Go Niners!
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