The San Francisco 49ers announced on Wednesday that Tony and Vic Morabito will be the next inductees into the Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame. The induction, to be held the weekend of November 19-21, honors the brothers for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the 49ers organization as the founding family of the franchise. The 49ers will officially enshrine the Morabitos into the Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame during Alumni Weekend. The Morabitos will be honored during the alumni dinner on Saturday, November 20 at the Crown Plaza in Burlingame, CA and during halftime of the 49ers home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, November 21. During both recognitions, their Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame plaque will be unveiled which will permanently be on display at Candlestick Park.
"Without Tony Morabito's (pictured above) conviction and passion for starting a franchise in the Bay Area, the 49ers would never have enjoyed such a rich and storied history," said 49ers President and CEO, Jed York. "He and Vic's contributions to the identity of the team and the city made their enshrinement into the Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. Hall of Fame an obvious choice. They changed the region's demographic from college football to professional football and will always be remembered as the family whose determination and tireless efforts began the 49ers legacy."
Tony was known as the heart and soul of the organization, signing on Hall of Famers Joe "The Jet" Perry, Hugh McElhenny, John Henry Johnson and Y.A. Tittle, and attracting the likes of R.C. Owens, Bob St. Clair, Leo Nomellini and John Brodie to the young franchise. After his passing in 1957, Victor kept the team under solid care through 1964, when he also passed.
Rick Morabito, son of Vic and nephew of Tony, and Carla Morabito, Rick's wife, will receive the Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame plaques in honor of both Tony and Vic.
"It is a significant honor for two men who helped paved the way for professional football on the West Coast," said Rick Morabito. "It is a great pleasure to receive the recognition on my father and uncle's behalf."
The Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame was created in 2009 in honor of the patriarch of one of the most storied franchises in all of professional sports. The Hall of Fame was established to recognize players, coaches and executives who have made exceptional contributions to the organization. Edward J. Debartolo, Jr. was the first inductee into the 49ers Hall of Fame in 2009. Those members of the 49ers family who have had their jersey numbers already retired by the organization or have been selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, were automatically enshrined in the 49ers Hall of Fame by the organization during the creation in 2009. Most recently Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice was inducted on Monday, September 20 in the 49ers home opener.
