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Tag: San Francisco 49ers

  • Jim Harbaugh Reportedly Signs On as Michigan’s New Head Coach

    Jim Harbaugh has reportedly signed on to become Michigan’s new head coach after announcing that he was leaving the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

    Harbaugh, 51, who was a star quarterback for the Wolverines in the mid-1980s, has reportedly signed a deal to become the new coach at Michigan, taking over for Brady Hoke, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions, who told The Associated Press late Monday. The person apparently spoke on condition of anonymity because there has been no formal announcement.

    Harbaugh reportedly flew to Detroit after Sunday’s announcement that he was parting ways with the 49ers, likely to ink the deal and attend a news conference to announce that he is the new head coach for the Wolverines.

    After Sunday’s announcement that he was leaving the 49ers, Harbaugh joined his team for one, final rousing “Who’s got it better than us? No-body!”

    Harbaugh, who made the announcement to leave after Sunday’s 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals and following an 8-8 season, reportedly came to an agreement with the team and leaves before fulfilling the final season of his $25 million, five-year contract.

    “It’s been the time of my life,” Harbaugh said. “Been a lot of great memories, great moments. … It’s been a tremendous four years, it’s been a pleasure to work and serve for this organization. I feel great about what we accomplished.”

    CEO Jed York said the decision was a mutual one.

    “Jim and I have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions,” York said. “We thank Jim for bringing a tremendous competitive nature and a great passion for the game to the 49ers. He and his staff restored a winning culture that has been the standard for our franchise throughout its history.”

  • Colin Kaepernick Fined $10K for Wearing Pink Beats by Dre Headphones

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick said Thursday that he was fined $10,000 by the NFL for wearing pink ”Beats by Dre” headphones during interviews following the Nov. 5 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

    The NFL has a contract with Bose, so Kaepernick is prohibited from wearing the Beats headphones in any public appearance. The league’s rules supersede an endorsement deal Kaepernick has with Beats.

    The pink version of the headphones were created to recognize October’s breast cancer awareness month.

    Kaepernick knew he could be subject to a fine after wearing the headphones around his neck during the press conference, but chose to wear the pink headphones. He explained his decision to don the headphones in an Instagram post.

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    I support breast cancer awareness! My grandma is a survivor!……. *shrugs* some things are now important! #IDontGetTired #WhoDoYouLove #Se7enPounds

    View on Instagram

    The NFL released a statement explaining its decision to fine the quarterback.

    “The NFL has longstanding policies that prohibit branded exposure on-field or during interviews unless authorized by the league. These policies date back to the early 1990s and continue today. They are the NFL’s policies – not one of the league’s sponsors, Bose in this case. Bose is not involved in the enforcement of our police,” said the NFL in a statement.

    The quarterback has appealed the decision and it is set to be heard on Tuesday.

    Kaepernick didn’t elaborate when asked if Beats would be picking up the tab for the fine, saying only, ”we’ll let that be unanswered.”

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    Spotted @kaepernick7 arriving in pink Beats Studios for #BreastCancerAwareness month. Proud to see #beatsfam show support. #BeatsbyDre

    View on Instagram

    Last month, the quarterback announced that he had been fined more than $11,000 for “inappropriate language” following a fourth-quarter interception during the 28-20 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sept. 14. He appealed the penalty saying he did nothing wrong when he and Chicago defensive end Larmarr Houston exchanged words, after which Kaepernick shoved the Bears’ player. Houston said later that Kaepernick didn’t say anything offensive or out of line.

    In any case, Kaepernick can afford the fines. It’s pocket change for the young player, who received a $126 million, six-year contract extension in June, including $61 million in guaranteed money.

  • Beats Headphones Fine: Should Kaepernick Be Forced To Wear Sponsor’s Headphones?

    Beats headphones or Bose headphones?

    This is a choice that many of us can make freely.

    Unless of course you happen to be a professional athlete. Then you may find yourself tangled up in the ridiculous web of greed that involves sport sponsors.

    Ladies and gentlemen, we live in a world where an athlete’s choice of underwear can get them into trouble.

    Their underwear.

    When sponsors and professional sports organizations are flipping out about the brand of undies you put on your body, that’s when you know that things have gone entirely too far.

    So the fact that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was fined by the NFL for wearing non-sponsored headphones isn’t too surprising.

    It’s not like Kaepernick can’t afford to pay out a $10,000 fine for preferring Beats to Bose.

    However, the event has raised some questions about exactly how individual taste becomes sacrificed for things which technically have NOTHING to do with the actual sport.

    Owning Beats headphones has no impact on Colin’s ability to throw a football.

    Drinking Gatorade rather than Powerade before a game will not make a difference in the final score.

    If the kicker misses the field goal, it will not be because he was wearing Nike cleats rather than Adidas.

    Beats headphones and Bose have quietly settled their differences over a patent, but it looks like this is one area where contention will likely remain.

    Fans are known to buy whatever celebrities they admire happen to buy. This is why celebrity endorsements are so sought after and have been for many years.

    Understandably, Bose would prefer if Colin used his visibility to promote their brand.

    Or at the very least…not indirectly advertise for a MAJOR competitor.

    Perhaps he can keep a pair of Bose headphones around strictly for appearances while really using his Beats headphones most of the time?

    It would certainly help him avoid future fines.

    Do you think Colin Kaepernick should be forced to wear headphones he doesn’t like? Should NFL sponsor agreements automatically impact its players and what they personally own and use?

  • 49ers Tickets Most Expensive In The NFL

    If you were hoping to see the San Francisco 49ers go up against the Chicago Bears, now might be a good time to buy tickets.

    According to the ticketing website known as Tickpick, prices for that game are at an all time low. When tickets went on sale on April 28th, tickets were $613; now they are less than $400. In fact, CBS reported that the price of $330.92 in secondary markets is 12% below the season average of $377.25.

    Even with the price drop, the tickets are still the most expensive in the NFL for any game during week two, according to Forbes. Mashable reported San Francisco fans play roughly $543.15 on average to see their team win.

    Still, fans are ready to pay the price.

    “There’s probably not a price I wouldn’t have paid once my wife gave me the OK to go to the home opener at Levi’s Stadium,” fan Neil Wilson told the Santa Cruz Sentinel, “For me as a fan it’s one of those can’t-miss events.”

    The Team Marketing Report has recently declared that the 49ers have the highest Fan Cost Index of any team in the NFL at $641.50. How does one measure a Fan Cost Index? The Washington Post publishes the answer:

    The Fan Cost Index™ comprises the prices of four (4) average-price tickets, two (2) cheapest-priced draft beers, four (4) cheapest soft drinks, four (4) cheapest hot dogs, parking for one (1) car, two (2) game programs and two (2) least-expensive, adult-size adjustable caps. Costs were determined by telephone calls with representatives of the teams, venues and concessionaires. Identical questions were asked in all interviews.

    Costs may be rising due to the high tech features of the 49ers’ recently constructed Levi’s Stadium, which includes a WiFi system 10,000 times the speed of regular broadband, according to Adweek.

  • Dallas Cowboys’ Loss Versus San Francisco 49ers Shocks Football World

    The Dallas Cowboys faced down the San Francisco 49ers today. The game ended in a win for the 49ers.

    The score was 28-17.

    Football commentators rushed to explain this upset.

    SB Nation’s David Fucillo attributed the loss to “the Cowboys shooting themselves in the foot as anything else”. The Cowboys suffered from a bad defense, which ended with a score in favor of the 49ers 28-3 in the second quarter. As far as their offense was concerned, Fucillo called the Cowboys “baaaaad”. According to him, the Cowboys handed the 49ers way too many opportunities.

    The 49ers seized those opportunities, and that’s why they won the game.

    Eric Edholm of the Shutdown Corner explained how even though the final score of 28-17 seems like the game was pretty close, it was anything but. After the 49ers gained their lead, since they “seemed content running out the clock in the second half. Some in Dallas might want to just fast-forward to January already.”

    “You have to keep telling yourself it is just one game,” wrote Tom Ryle of SB Nation, “but how do you keep from wondering if this will be the season the Dallas Cowboys fall apart after the horrendous showing they had against the San Francisco 49ers on opening day?” Three times the Cowboys’ Tony Romo attempted to pass into coverage in the first half and all of those times, the 49ers intercepted. It lead to Ryle asking: “What happened with Tony Romo? Was this a problem of not getting enough reps in training camp as they tried to protect his back?”

    It also lead to mocking internet memes.

  • Kerry Washington Hits Red Carpet Post-Baby at BET Awards

    Kerry Washington stepped out on the red carpet Sunday night for the BET Awards in Los Angeles.

    The event marked Washington’s first live television appearance since giving birth to daughter Isabelle Amarachi on April 21. The child is the first for both Washington and her husband, former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

    Observers said Washington looked “slim, fit, and healthy” in a brightly-colored floral strapless Dolce & Gabbana dress, white Jimmy Choo pumps, and the bare minimum of jewelry.

    Washington was nominated for a Best Actress award this year alongside Angela Bassett (Black Nativity, American Horror Story,) Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave,) Gabrielle Union (Being Mary Jane,) and Oprah Winfrey (The Butler.) Lupita Nyong’o won.

    Washington won the BET Best Actress award in 2013.

    Washington, 37, and Asomugha, 32, married in a small, private ceremony in Hailey, Idaho in June 2013. The notoriously private couple managed to keep the wedding secret for over a week.

    The couple kept their daughter’s birth from hitting the news for an impressive 11 days following her birth.

    Washington began acting in 1994 and landed small television and film roles for the next few years, including parts in Mr. and Mrs. Smith with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and The Last King of Scotland with James McAvoy and Forest Whitaker.

    In 2012 she gained notoriety for her performance opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, and Christoph Waltz in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained.

    Also that year she landed the lead role in ABC’s hit series Scandal. Thanks to her role as Olivia Pope, Washington is now a household name. The term “gladiators” and the phrase “It’s handled” have become synonymous with the series and millions of viewers covet Olivia Pope’s wardrobe.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jerry Rice Jr. Will Try Out For The 49ers

    It’s always tough to follow in your dad’s footsteps. It’s nearly impossible to follow in your dad’s footsteps if he’s the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Plus, he also wears three Super Bowl rings.

    So goes the life of Jerry Rice Jr., who is planning to attend the San Francisco 49ers’ rookie minicamp this weekend. The wide receiver did not get drafted out of UNLV, where Rice played for one year after transferring from UCLA. He had 11 catches for 86 yards for the Rebels last season.

    This will be Rice’s second attempt to catch on with an NFL team. He tried out for the Baltimore Ravens last weekend, however, the team did not sign him to a contract.

    Baltimore’s head coach John Harbaugh was impressed with young Rice and likes his chances with the 49ers, “He’s a really good athlete. He doesn’t have his dad’s size, but he sure got his athleticism. He runs in a real similar way. He’s got that West Coast offense down. He’s probably had that playbook since he was in the cradle.”

    Rice Jr. is 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds. His dad was 6-foot-2 and weighed 200 pounds during his playing days.

    The receiver was undaunted by not signing with the Ravens and took to his personal Twitter account to relay his excitement about his tryout with the 49ers.

    The 49ers’ minicamp is scheduled for this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

    Image via YouTube Screenshot

  • Joe Montana and the 49ers in a Battle Over Parking

    Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers are at it again, and this time, the issue is parking.

    Montana has plans to build a $400 million hotel and entertainment complex across from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the new home of the 49ers. The city has already approved these plans. The problem is Montana’s new venture, of which Yahoo! is also a part of, would sit on about 800 parking spots the Niners say they need for their stadium.

    The city of Santa Clara has proposed other parking options for the team, but they have been turned down due to their long distances away from the stadium, because they are too waterlogged, or because they are just not suitable enough.

    The addition of the hotel and entertainment complex is a win for both the team and Montana, as it would add to the fan experience and put money in both of their collective pockets. However, the team does have the option to veto the project if they don’t receive the parking they want and have let the city of Santa Clara know that they may do that. The team has gone so far as to tell the city that if the Montana project goes forward, Santa Clara needs to cough up some 8.5 acres of land for parking, free of charge.

    This isn’t the first time Montana and his former team have butted helmets. Despite winning four Super Bowls with the 49ers, the Hall of Fame quarterback was still replaced with Steve Young, causing them to part was under less than friendly circumstances.

    Whose side are you on? Leave your comments in the space below!

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Mario Manningham Signs One-Year Contract With The New York Giants

    In the time of free agency, the NFL has seen a number of players moving from team to team in the past week. After struggling last season, the New York Giants needed to do something to improve.

    Mario Manningham is the latest player to be placed on a new team, and will be returning to the place where he spent much of his career.

    He just signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants, a team that he played with for four years, before leaving for the San Francisco 49ers.

    Manningham was plagued with an injury throughout the 2013 season, which caused him to only have nine receptions for 85 yards in six games. He had great success with the Giants, and in his first season with the 49ers, following his recovery, he could be a top receiver again.

    After last year, the Giants clearly need to get better somehow, and in addition to their new receiver, they have already acquired defensive backs Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Walter Thurmond and Quintin Demps, running back Rashad Jennings, offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz and kick returner Trindon Holliday in free agency.

    Despite rejoining a New York Giants team that has been struggling for the past year, Mario Manningham is excited to return to the team that drafted him. The 27-year-old receiver said “I’m real excited. It’s just great to see everybody, be around familiar faces, knowing everybody in the past and just being comfortable around everybody. Once a Giant, always a Giant. That’s how I feel. This is a very special place. I wanted to come back.”

    He was an important receiver with the Giants during their run for the Super Bowl in 2012, and could be a helpful addition to their roster. He caught touchdown passes in each of the Giants’ three NFC playoff victories, and made a key fourth-quarter reception along the sideline in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.

    Throughout his six-season career in the NFL, Manningham has 211 catches for 2,849 yards and 19 touchdowns. He helped the Giants win the Super Bowl in 2012, and was a part of the San Francisco 49ers team that lost to the Ravens in 2013, a team that almost made it back to the Super Bowl again this year.

    The Giants started the 2013 season as one of the worst teams in the league, and eventually were able to improve, but not enough. Can Mario Manningham help his old team get back to the way they used to be?

    Image via Facebook

  • Julian Edelman Re-signs with New England Patriots

    Julian Edelman, despite speculation he may go to the 49ers, has re-signed on with the New England Patriots.

    In the week before the Super Bowl, the wide receiver told ESPN Radio’s “SVP and Russillo” program, that 2013 was a big professional breakthrough. Although the player had been with the Patriots for four years, 2013 marked his first injury free year: “I was able to stay healthy and then guys get hurt and you’re given an opportunity.” According the National Football League’s website, Edelman received 105 passes totaling 1,056 yards, more than his previous four years combined.

    He tweeted a confirmation of the deal yesterday:

    According to Ian Rapoport of the Rap Sheet, the Patriots originally offered Edelman a three year contract, but Edelman turned it down, opting to test the waters of free agency:

    Edelman then went into talks with the San Francisco 49ers, according to a tweet by ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

    Matt Barrows, sports reporter for the Sacramento Bee, reported Edelman had ties to the area and had been approached by the 49ers before:

    But it appears local ties were not enough for Julian Edelman. The NFL cited him as number forty-seven on their list of top free agents this season. The details of Edelman’s contract were not divulged, but the NFL has speculated he will be overpaid. As Dan Hanzus said, he “broke out with a 105-catch season for the Patriots in 2013… [but] Edelman is unlikely to repeat that production if you take him out of his current system. Riley Cooper-type money makes sense, but we imagine Edeltron will get more.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Richard Sherman Fined For Taunting Michael Crabtree

    The incident with Richard Sherman and Michael Crabtree rages on. Richard Sherman has been making headlines all week for his interview with Erin Adnrews after the game, but now what he did leading up to the interview has finally caught up to him.

    Following the epic NFC Championship Game between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, Richard Sherman gave one of the most talked about and controversial post-game interviews possibly of all time.

    It was finally confirmed by the league on Friday, and Richard Sherman was fined $7,875 for unsportsmanlike conduct/taunting in the final minute of the game.

    The Seahawks went on to win the game 23-17, earning them a trip to the Super Bowl.

    Sherman and Crabtree both exchanged pushing and shoving at the end of the game, and the taunting penalty could have been called on either of them. However, after it all started, Richard Sherman took it to the next level and continued to rant on about his superior playing, and has been criticized for it.

    Despite being fined, and in addition to all of the press that he has received since the post-game interview, the head of the NFL still had nothing but good things to say about the the defensive player. He is one of the candidates for the defensive player of the year award, and one incident will not stop that.

    Although he may have created some bad press about the NFL and the end of Sunday’s game, Roger Goodell, the commissoner of the NFL, said “(Sherman) is such a great young man. He is extremely well-spoken, does great things off the field, obviously a great player on the field. I want him to present himself in the best possible way and make sure that he is reflecting on himself and his family in a positive way.”

    The Seahawks will meet the Denver Broncos in a battle of the the two teams that have remained at the top throughout the season, after they beat the New England Patriots.

    He called himself the best corner in the game, while also insulting the receiver that he was guarding, Michael Crabtree, calling him a sorry receiver. He was penalized for the taunting that he did to him during the play initially, and he has now received a hefty fine for the act.

    His taunting has not been talked about quite as much as the interview itself, but his interview has been called classless among other things, and he has even been called a thug. He has since called his remarks misdirected and immature.

    With two of the best teams in the nation playing that also hate each other, it was expected that the emotions would be running high on both sides of the ball throughout the game, and penalties were delivered throughout the game, although Richard Sherman was the only player to be fined.

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  • Percy Harvin Returns To Seahawks Practice, Expected To Play In Super Bowl

    Since acquiring Percy Harvin from the Minnesota Vikings, the Seattle Seahawks have had the unfortunate situation of having him injured for the majority of the season.

    Harvin came back once earlier in the season, and then when returning again recently, he suffered a concussion and was prevented from playing in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers..

    He had only played in one game during the regular season after having the off-season surgery that he had on his hip, but was finally able to play again for their playoff game against the New Orleans.

    He suffered a concussion late in the first half, and the talented wide receiver has continued to have injury problems throughout his short career, including when he was in college at Florida. Before leaving the game, he caught three passes and had one 9-yard run on an end around.

    Percy Harvin has played in only two games all year, but was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. However, he has not officially been cleared to play in the Super Bowl yet, but the team is trying to be positive about his return for the big game.

    Coach Pete Carroll is keeping a positive outlook on the situation and said on Monday that Harvin “should be fine” for the big game against the Denver Broncos.

    Despite not having Percy Harvin for much of the season, the Seatle Seahawks have remained as the leader of the league, and have now earned a trip to the Super Bowl after defeating their rivals, the San Francisco 49ers.

    In related news, Knowshon Moreno of the Broncos was injured during the AFC Championship Game, and while his status is currently day to day, he is also expected to be ready in time for the Super Bowl.

    Percy Harvin could certainly be used in the Seattle Seahawks’ offense, as they have been relying on the running game for much of the time lately. Rusell Wilson, who is one of the top quarterbacks in the league, topped the 200-yard passing mark against the San Francisco 49ers for just the first time since Week 15.

    Whether Percy Harvin will be heatlhy in time to join them or not, the Seattle Seahawks will be facing off against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2nd. The team also may want to play it safe and not have him injured again, although no player is going to want to miss out on a chance to play in the Super Bowl.

    Image via Youtube

  • Colin Kaepernick Played Wonderfully, Says Harbaugh

    After losing to the Seattle Seahawks this past weekend, one would think that San Francisco 49ers’ coach, Jim Harbaugh, would be disappointed with his players, but nothing could be further from the truth.

    In a post-game press conference, Harbaugh said he was pleased with both the offense and defense, and thought it was one of the best games he’s witnessed in his life. Plus, he said the loss had nothing to do with a lack of effort on his team’s part, and it was just how the game ended up going. “We played well,” he said. “The game itself was one of the best games I’ve ever witnessed as a coach or player, because the players played their a– off. It was a credit to the players in the game, the way they played.”

    And as far as the 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, he had a smorgasbord of wonderful plays, including a 30-yard pass, off of one foot, to wide receiver Anquan Boldin in the third quarter, so it’s unlikely that Harbaugh or the 49ers organization will be looking elsewhere during the off-season for another quarterback. “I thought Colin played his a– off,” said Harbaugh.

    Back in November, the always animated coach said he didn’t know why the young quarterback received so much criticism. “I think he’s doing a heck of a job,” said Harbaugh. “I guess I’d be puzzled to why people would think that. What’s most important is what we see. I’m puzzled to why you or anybody else thinks that….He’s been consistently good. He’s been like that every week [whether] he’s been a backup or a starter.”

    Since playing, Kaepernick–who was also drafted by the Chicago Cubs as a pitcher in 2009– completed 58 percent of his passes, had 5,046 yards, 31 touchdowns and threw 11 interceptions, which many coaches in the NFL would be glad to take.

    And since he’s still learning the league’s ropes and getting used to being a team leader, many would probably say the loss against the Seahawks was a mere hiccup, and Kaepernick is bound to get the 49ers back to the Super Bowl. But of course, time will tell.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Richard Sherman Rant: Candid Or Classless?

    Richard Sherman Rant: Candid Or Classless?

    Richard Sherman, who considers himself to be the best cornerback since Deion Sanders, surprised many, including sportscaster Erin Andrews during a post-game interview.

    At a moment when you might think Sherman would be jubilant after sealing his team’s spot in Super Bowl, he appeared to be everything but.

    When Andrews caught up with him after the game, Sherman took the time to unleashed an EPIC rant aimed at 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree.

    “Well, I’m the best corner in the game! When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that’s the result you gonna get! Don’t you EVER talk about me,” shouted Sherman.

    When asked by Andrews to clarify who had been talking about him, he candidly said, “Crabtree.”

    “Don’t you open your mouth about the best,” he continued, “or I’ll shut it for you real quick. LOB!”

    Andrews appeared momentarily stunned by Sherman’s outburst, but quickly regained her composure before directing the cameras back to the announcer’s booth.

    In the closing moments of the game between the 49ers and the Seahawks, Sherman deflected a touchdown thrown by 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick intended for wide receiver Michael Crabtree. The pass was then intercepted by Seahawks linebacker Michael Smith. That play ended the game 23-17 and the Seattle Seahawks advanced to the Super Bowl to face the Denver Broncos.

    Normally, when a team makes it into the Super Bowl on a dramatic final play, people talk about the play and the playmaker. Well, there is certainly a lot of talk about Sherman, but maybe for the wrong reasons. Twitter was chirping about Sherman’s rant almost immediately after it aired on TV. Some appreciated Sherman’s honesty and candor. However, there were those who thought Sherman displayed a lack of professionalism and class.

     

    Crabtree, it seem, is one person who was least impressed with Sherman’s remarks.

    So what do you think? Was Sherman just speaking the truth or was his rant classless?

     Here’s Sherman’s Full Rant

    http://youtu.be/ioo1iUdwAlU

    Crabtree Responds

    http://youtu.be/552n28bX5Ek

    Image via YouTube

  • Navorro Bowman’s Gruesome Injury Is Revealed

    As a member of the defensive unit on the San Francisco 49ers, Navarro Bowman has been one of the keys to their success.

    He is one of the top defenders in the league, and seeing him go down at the end of their previous game was scary for anyone who was watching, whether they are a fan of the 49ers or not.

    Navorro Bowman suffered an injury during the end of the 4th quarter of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. It was recently revealed that his ugly injury is a torn ACL and MCL.

    His injury came on a play that resulted in a fumble but the runner was later called down before the fumble in a very controversial play. However, the Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch fumbled on the next play anyway, giving the ball back to the 49ers.

    It was an intense play that could have secured the win even sooner for Seattle when they were on San Francisco’s goal line, and Navorro Bowman appeared to have recovered a fumble while simultaneously injuring his knee. He had 14 tackles and one sack before leaving with the injury.

    Bowman was carted off the field, and the 49ers would eventually lose the game 23-17, with the Seahawks earning a trip to the Super Bowl, where they will meet the Denver Broncos after they beat the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

    The 49ers are unsure of when Navorro Bowman will be able to return to the field, but hopefully he will be back in time for the start of the 2014 season. Coach Jim Harbaugh said that there is no way to know for sure when he will return, although he is expected to play in 2014.

    Jim Harbaugh knows how strong of a player Bowman is, and with it hard to see him in this situation, he said “He’s got grueling rehab ahead. That is not the way that you would’ve wanted or foreseen his offseason to be after coming off what many have talked about — and deservedly so — of a defensive-player-of-the-year type of performance. Great year by Navorro.”

    Throughout the season, Navorro Bowman has performed at a higher level than the competition, and was named first-team All-Pro. As a member of the elite 49ers defense, he had a total of 145 total tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions.

    Other athletes have been continually showing their support for one of the top defenders in the game:

    Image via Facebook

  • Tom Brady Blasts Richard Sherman For Rant

    Tom Brady Blasts Richard Sherman For Rant

    After Richard Sherman’s post-game rant yesterday, after defeating the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Tom Brady has spoken out to criticize him.

    In an interview on the “Dennis & Callahan” show he said that he wasn’t surprised at Sherman trash talking after the game, but it’s something he nor his team would ever do. “I don’t know him at all,” said Brady. “I’ve watched him play. He’s that kind of guy. So, you know, I approach the game, and I have respect for my opponents. That’s the way our team plays. We win with graciousness, and when we lose, we could do better. Some teams don’t always do that, or that’s not their program.”

    And nearly 24-hours after the rant, Sherman told MMBQ that people shouldn’t confuse his on-the-field passion with being angry or bitter, and that his trash-talking-football-persona isn’t the entire person he is.

    “It was loud, it was in the moment, and it was just a small part of the person I am,” he said. “I don’t want to be a villain, because I’m not a villainous person. When I say I’m the best cornerback in football, it’s with a caveat: There isn’t a great defensive backfield in the NFL that doesn’t have a great front seven. Everything begins with the pressure up front, and that’s what we get from our pass rushers every Sunday.”

    Sherman also says that before demonizing him and labeling him a bad person, people should look at what he does off the field for his family and his community.

    “To those who would call me a thug or worse because I show passion on a football field, don’t judge a person’s character by what they do between the lines,” he said. “Judge a man by what he does off the field, what he does for his community, what he does for his family.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Seattle Seahawks Soar To Meet Broncos At Super Bowl

    The Seattle Seahawks would not be denied. Their rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, were dominant for the first half of a tense away game, but the visitors would not have the final word. In the end, the homefield advantage kicked in for the second time this evening.

    The Seahawks seemed to be headed for the same fate that the New England Patriots suffered earlier in the evening. However, whereas the Tom Brady led Patriots were never able to find their offensive footing, Russell Wilson dug deep for a 35-yard touchdown pass on the 4th down. Their defense forced two crucial turnovers late in the game which prevented Colin Kaepernick’s side from running away with the game.

    The cracks began to show and before the 49ers knew what had happened, it was their side that was trailing. Steven Hauschka’s last of three field goals sealed the deal. And if there was any last gasp to be had, the air was yanked out San Francisco due to a intercepted in the end zone on the visiting side’s last play of the game.

    Not all that glitters is truly gold, and the 49ers will miss out a trip to Super Bowl XLVIII.

    The Seattle Seahawks will be making what is in fact only their second appearance in the biggest football game of the season. Their only other appearance was in 2006. They’ll be hoping for better luck this time around, having lost that game to the Pittsburgh Steelers 10 to 21.

    With this game over, the dust has settled at last and we have our match-up.

    Some called the Denver Broncos versus the Seattle Seahawks weeks ago. Both teams cast long shadows this season over their competition. Both dominated their respective conferences. As for which team will win it all, it’s hard to pick which team will have a definite advantage.

    The Broncos may have a legendary quarterback in their corner, but the Seahawks have been a solid and formidable opponent.

    One thing is for certain, this may be the most exciting and historic Super Bowl that anyone has experienced in a long time.

    Image via Denver Broncos Twitter

  • Percy Harvin Will Not Play In NFC Championship Game

    After battling injuries throughout the season, Percy Harvin returned to the field recently. Unfortunately, his injuries continue to catch up with him, and he will be forced to sit out during the NFC Championship Game.

    Percy Harvin has been ruled out of the NFC Championship Game, and the game will surely be one of the most intense games in recent memory.

    The Seattle Seahawks will play their division and west coast rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. What makes the game even more important is that it will determine who will head to the Super Bowl.

    Seattle will be forced to play without him this week, but will still be playing an exciting game against the 49ers, and emotions will be high on both sides of the field, as the fans and players prepare for the game.

    The Seahawks will play the winner of the Patriots and Broncos during this weekend’s NFL playoff schedule, in an epic set of Conference Championship Games.

    While it appeared that Percy Harvin was back and able to play during their last game against the New Orleans Saints, he suffered a concussion late in the first half of last Saturday’s win against the Saints.

    During the game, he caught three passes and had one 9-yard run on an end around, but took two big hits and was checked twice for a concussion. He did not return to the game in the second half after hitting his head on the turf near the end of the second quarter when falling backward in the end-zone.

    It was the first time that he had played since his season debut against his the Minnesota Vikings, his former team, on November 17th.

    Despite losing Percy Harvin to injury before the season started, the Seattle Seahawks have continued to have a presence as one of the best teams in the league, behind their quarterback Russell Wilson, and their thunderous fans that have become known as “The 12th Man.”

    In what could have been one of the biggest games of the receiver’s career, Percy Harvin is disappointed about not being able to play. Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll reported about his status when saying “He will not make it back for this game. He did not make it through the concussion protocol. I’m super disappointed for Percy. I know how much he wants to play.”

    Harvin was examined by doctors on Wednesday, but he was not cleared to practice. Luckily for the Seahawks, he will be able to return to practice next week.

    If the Seattle Seahawks are to pull off a victory against the San Francisco 49ers, then they will be able to have Percy Harvin back in time to play against either the Denver Broncos or the New England Patriots, depending on who wins the AFC Championship Game, in Super Bowl XLVIII.

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  • NFL Playoff Schedule Set and Ready to Go

    NFL Playoff Schedule Set and Ready to Go

    It’s down to the final four teams in the NFL. Two squads will earn the right to represent their respective divisions at Superbowl XLVIII on February 2nd in New Jersey. No one is surprised that the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are the last teams standing. All four have dominated in their division and each have strong quarterbacks with solid head coaches.

    Let’s take a look at the matchups for next Sunday.

    AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
    New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos
    Kick off: 3 pm
    Opening Vegas Line: Denver -4.5

    Here we go again, another Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning matchup. No doubt that the rivalry has become one of the best in all of sports. The two quarterbacks have squared off a total of 15 times in the regular and post season. This will be the third time that they have faced off in an AFC Championship Game. They each have one win.

    It’s been nine yeas since Brady won his third Super Bowl ring. He doesn’t have the key receivers he’s had in the past but Terrific Tom usually seems to find a way to make due. In the last Manning/Brady Bowl in November of this year, Brady pulled off a Houdini Act for the ages when he erased a 24 point half-time deficit over the Broncos in New England. Meanwhile, Manning has not played in a Super Bowl since 2007 when his Colts beat the Bears 29-17.

    NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
    San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
    Kickoff: 6:30 pm
    Opening Vegas Line: Seattle -3.5

    Two heated division rivals will go head to head on Sunday evening. San Francisco will have to find a way to score points against one of the best defenses in the league and the dreaded “12th man.” No doubt that Seattle holds one of the best homefield advantages in all of sports. The Seahawks only had one loss at home this year against the Arizona Cardinals, so the 49ers will certainly study that game to see how an average Cardinal team was able to come away with a victory.

    If Seattle wins, it will only be the second time in their franchise history that they’ve gone to the Superbowl. They lost in 2005 to the Steelers. The 49ers, on the other hand, will look for a return trip to the big game after losing a heart breaker to the Baltimore Ravens last year.

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  • NFL Playoff Schedule: Down To Four Teams With Two Epic Match-Ups

    NFL Playoff Schedule: Down To Four Teams With Two Epic Match-Ups

    The NFL playoff schedule have seen some exciting games so far, but the divisional round was a bit less than stellar, and did not see any surprises for the teams that advanced to the conference championships.

    After the divisional round has concluded, four teams remain, and each team is matched up with another team that they are painfully familiar with.

    The Seahawks will be playing their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Patriots will face the Broncos, pairing Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, something that fans have seen in the AFC many times.

    The Super Bowl is just a few weeks away now, and as the NFL playoff schedule gets smaller by the week, by Sunday night, fans will know which two teams they will be seeing in the big game this year.

    Both games will be taking place on Sunday this week, with the AFC Championship Game surprisingly taking place first at 3 p.m. and the NFC Championship Game being shown at 6:30 p.m.

    This NFC Championship Game is an important match-up for a number of reasons in a rivalry that goes back several decades with the two teams that will battle to determine who is the best in the west.

    To advance to the NFC Championship Game, the Seahawks were able to handle the Saints easily at home and won 23-15, although they led throughout the game, forcing the Saints to make a miraculous comeback.

    The rivalry between the coaches dates back to the Pac-12 when Jim Harbaugh was coaching Stanford and Pete Carroll was at USC, and with everything else that surrounds these two teams, it should be an exciting game on Sunday night. It also boasts two of the best young quarterbacks who can both run and pass with Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson.

    As far as the AFC, everyone in the country had probably predicted the top two teams to advance, and fans will get to witness another meeting between two of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game.

    The Patriots stomped all over the Colts in a commanding fashion with LeGarrette Blount leading the way with four rushing touchdowns.

    This will be the 15th meeting between Manning and Brady, and the last time the two teams played, the Patriots won in overtime. Both teams handled their competition fairly easily to make it to the AFC Championship, showing that they were clearly the two best teams.

    Who will win the battle between the two best AFC quarterbacks, and is it possible for an opponent to win in Seattle? Tune in this Sunday and watch both games to find out.

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  • Seattle Seahawks Inch Closer to the Super Bowl

    Saturday’s NFC Division Round game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints seemed over. Marshawn Lynch was in true “beast mode” when he rushed for his second touchdown of the game and put the Seahawks up 23-8 late in the fourth. The stalwart Seattle D and the notorious “12th Man” rendered Drew Brees’ usually prolific offense nearly useless. Then the Saints found some rhythm, seemingly out of nowhere.

    Down by two scores, Brees went into a hurry-up offense that finally cracked the shiny veneer of the Seattle defense. The quarterback marched his team down the field and completed a tidy 80-yard touchdown drive, narrowing the Seahawk lead to 23-15. Then it was time to pull out an on-side kick, a desperation play, which rarely works especially when teams are expecting it. But wouldn’t you know, the hands team of Seattle couldn’t handle the squibber and Marques Colston recovered. The Saints would have one last chance.

    For a second, there seemed to be a hush on the usually raucous crowd. Could the Saints pull off a Colts-like miracle comeback?

    Brees has precious seconds to spare. He completes a short pass to Colston. Then for some reason, when the wide receiver catches the ball around midfield with seconds to play, he does not step out of bounds to stop the clock in order to have one last Hail Mary play to the end zone. Colston instead attempts to lateral a pass to Travis Cadet, but it’s a forward lateral. Ten-second penalty, game over.

    Head coach Pete Carroll has built one of the best defenses in the game. Even though quarterback Russell Wilson was held to a paltry 18 attempts for 103 yards with no touchdowns, Seattle still won the game, rather easily. Marshawn Lynch was once again truly a beast, running 140 yards on 28 carries. Carroll spoke of the importance of Lynch to the team. “He battles every week, and when you give him a chance, he makes plays. He’s had a consistent run for us — I saw a stat the other day that it was three straight 1,000-yard years with 10-plus touchdowns. You have to love his last touchdown run — it was a cool way to end that game and give us the chance and the score we needed to put them away.”

    Seattle will meet up with NFC division rival San Francisco next Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. Seattle will once again try to rally behind the best home field advantage in sports. The winner of that game will earn the right to go to the Super Bowl on February 2nd in New Jersey.

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