The San Francisco 49ers today announced they are honoring Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. during the weekend of September 19-20, 2009, for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the 49ers organization. On Saturday evening, September 19, the Club is hosting a red carpet event co-presented by Splice Communications and Sharp Business Systems to officially enshrine DeBartolo, Jr. as the first member of the Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame. This exclusive event will take place at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, CA, and is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. DeBartolo, Jr. will also be recognized at halftime of the 49ers home opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, September 20.
"There was no question that the first person to be enshrined in the Edward DeBartolo Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame had to be my Uncle Eddie," said 49ers team President, Jed York. "He created the 49ers dynasty and winning tradition with a first class approach that has become the model for countless organizations in professional sports. I am truly blessed to have my Uncle as a mentor."
DeBartolo, Jr. is widely regarded as one of the most successful owners in the history of professional sports. Under his direction, San Francisco became the first franchise in National Football League history to win five Super Bowl championships (1981, '84, '88, '89 and '94).
"This is such a great honor for me," DeBartolo, Jr. said. "I would like to thank my nephew Jed and the entire 49ers family for selecting me to be the first member of the 49ers Hall of Fame. I was truly fortunate to have had so many great people around me, starting with my dear friend and the greatest coach of all time, the late Bill Walsh, and the Hall of Fame players who one day will be inducted alongside me into the 49ers Hall of Fame. I always say I was born in Youngstown, Ohio, but I was really born 32 years ago in San Francisco when my family acquired the 49ers."
The Saturday evening event will begin with a cocktail reception followed by a tribute to DeBartolo, Jr. featuring family, friends and special guests, the formal induction ceremony and live entertainment. The evening is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate DeBartolo, Jr. with members of the 49ers family including, current team Owners Denise and John York, President Jed York, General Manager Scot McCloughan, Head Coach Mike Singletary and 49ers alumni Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott and more.
Along with Splice Communications and Sharp Business Systems, Visa and Devcon Construction are sponsors of the evening.
