In the San Francisco 49ers Week 4 contest against the New England Patriots, the team will recognize the NFL's Crucial Catch initiative and raise awareness around cancer detection and risk reduction.
The league, the NFL Players Association and the American Cancer Society are committed to providing individuals with the tools they need to help them better understand early detection and ways to reduce their cancer risk. Each year, every NFL team raises awareness during a game, featuring on-field and in-stadium Crucial Catch elements. Crucial Catch games also present a special opportunity to honor cancer survivors and those currently battling cancer.
Here's what to look for during the 49ers Latino Heritage Month celebration and Crucial Catch game presented by Dignity Health:
Personal Connection
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. understands cancer's impact all too well. His family has endured the hardships that come with a cancer diagnosis and losing a loved one to a battle with cancer.
Luter Jr. shared what his relationship was like with his grandmother, Lila Belle, and her battle with breast cancer. He discussed the ways in which she taught him about resilience and positivity.
"I wish she had the opportunity to watch me play football... In the meantime, I know she's looking down on us. So, I'm trying to do everything in my power to make her happy, make her proud and put a smile on her face up in Heaven."
Click here to learn more about Luter Jr.'s story.
Arrivals
At a 49ers art therapy community outreach event, players partnered with cancer warriors to paint on canvases what strength means to them. The artwork created on the canvases will be transferred onto denim jackets generously donated by Levi's®. The players and cancer warriors will proudly don their personalized jackets in their arrival outfits to the Week 4 Crucial Catch contest against the Patriots.
National Anthem
The national anthem will be performed by Felicia Temple. Temple is a contemporary R&B artist known for her mature ballads and she gained nationwide recognition on Season 12 of "The Voice." Since appearing on the show, she has built an independent discography that was created while she was undergoing treatment for Stage III Carcinoid Cancer and working as a registered nurse. In March 2020, while touring Europe with the Whitney Houston Hologram Tour, she returned to nursing in response to the pandemic. She later resumed music and has since released new projects, with more planned for 2025.
Color Guard
Presenting our nation's colors ahead of kickoff will be the San Francisco Park Rangers. The SF Park Ranger unit celebrates their 150th anniversary this year, serving as one of the oldest units in the United States. The Rangers patrol and provide protection for the parks in the City and County of San Francisco. The San Francisco Park Rangers have been a part of the 49ers family from their home at Kezar Stadium in 1946 until 2013 at Candlestick Park.
Halftime
This Sunday's halftime show will be a celebration of Latin culture featuring award-winning singer and actress Gabriela Sepúlveda, known for her role in "Jenni Rivera: Mariposa de Barrio" and her excellence in ranchera music. Joining her is Mariachi Tapatio, Northern California's premier mariachi group with nearly 40 years of experience, blending traditional Jalisco sounds with innovation under the direction of Felipe Garcia and Grupo Folklórico Los Laureles, a leading folklórico academy in San Jose that has captivated audiences nationwide with dynamic performances that honor Mexico's rich cultural traditions.
Join the 49ers on September 29 for their Latino Heritage Month and Crucial Catch game presented by Dignity Health against the New England Patriots. Get your tickets here.
