Early on in the season, the 49ers had a crisis at the long-snapper position. Kyle Nelson, the longest-tenured member on the roster after Joe Staley retired, was having trouble with his snap accuracy, at some points even bouncing balls off the turf. In the Week Three game against the Giants, Nelson mishandled a total of five snaps and was replaced late in the game by backup offensive tackle Justin Skule. The 49ers released Nelson three days after that game and promptly signed a third-year long-snapper out of Michigan State with a unique name.
Taybor Pepper was lights out after signing with the 49ers, appearing in a total of 12 games during the 2020 season after being placed on the COVID list and missing the final game against the Seahawks. Since taking over the position in the Week Four matchup against the Eagles, Pepper and the 49ers didn't have a bad snap for any punt or kicking opportunity. This stability anchored a reliable battery of holder and kicker, and Pepper was also responsible for a couple tackles and a downed punt inside the five-yard line. He provides enthusiasm, consistency, and energy on the field, but his contributions to the Faithful go beyond that.
Pepper is a fixture on Twitter, engaging with fans and followers after each game. In fact, this author has had multiple positive and fun interactions with him on the social media site. Immediately following the Week 17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, fans took to Twitter to react to this tweet posted by Taybor: "What a year. Thankful I was able to land on a team this season and have such a fun time! Here's to hopefully coming back to The Bay in 2021! #FTTB." This tweet prompted thousands of likes and comments, most of them urging him to re-sign, with replies like "hope to have you back," and "pay that man!" It's clear members of the Faithful are big fans of Taybor Pepper, and it's clear that he enjoyed his time in Santa Clara/Glendale.
When has a long snapper ever been one of the most beloved figures by a fan base? Taybor Pepper has become a bright spot in an unusually dim year for the 49ers, and the Niners should make the smart decision to re-sign him. He embodies consistency on the field in a position that rarely gets noticed unless mistakes are made, and he engages with fans on a level that most players don't.
When John Lynch is planning for success in 2021, the recipe calls for more Pepper.
Written By:
Lifelong 49ers Fan. Father. Husband. Full-Time Educator. Former College QB. Co-Host of The Denim Dungeon Podcast.
All articles by Tim Sprinkles
@TimSprinkles
YouTube Channel
Tim Sprinkles
Lifelong 49ers Fan. Father. Husband. Full-Time Educator. Former College QB. Co-Host of The Denim Dungeon Podcast.
All articles by Tim Sprinkles
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Brock Purdy isn't taking his success as 49ers QB for granted
Brock Purdy helped lead the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship Game as a rookie. If not for an injury to his throwing arm, they might have reached the Super Bowl in his first year. The following season, they returned to the NFC Championship Game—this time winning... -
49ers Named As Potential Trade Destination for All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson
As higher-profile contract talks continue between the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy, the team is still putting in plenty of time looking at ways to upgrade their defensive line, which (like the rest of the 49ers' defensive unit) struggled mightily in... -
Florio: Brock Purdy may never become a top QB, so why should the 49ers pay him like one?
Mike Florio's hot takes frequently spark debate among NFL fans, and his latest comments about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will probably be no exception. As the 49ers enter contract extension talks with Purdy—talks expected to make him one of the NFL's... -
49ers surpass Ravens for rushing records after NFL incorporates AAFC stats
The 2019 Baltimore Ravens rushed for an impressive 3,296 yards during the regular season, setting what was then the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single season—until now. This week, the NFL announced it would begin incorporating statistics from the All-America...