With the start of the 49ers season just days away, I'm eager to share my recollections of some of the most unforgettable Niners games I've witnessed. This article is the fifth installment of From the Stands.

The 1981 NFC Championship was days away, a showdown between the upstart 49ers and America's Team. I was miraculously gifted two tickets to the most in-demand 49ers game ever through a chance conversation and a few well-placed calls. How I got those tickets is discussed in detail in Part 1.

I am forever indebted to the incredible generosity of publicist Joyce Wilson, her husband, the legendary sports columnist Blackie Sherrod, and Dallas Cowboys General Manager Tex Schram. Their kindness made this story possible.

Because I got tickets through the Cowboys, my seats were flat dab in the middle of Cowboy fans. But hey, I had tickets to the game.


When we left in Part 1, I was about to call my dad, a true 49er Faithful, and tell him of my good fortune.

I rehearsed the call and thought about the good times we had spent together as father and son and the many 49ers' games we watched from the stands. He took me to my first Niner game at Kezar to see the great Jim Brown. We watched the Cowboys beat the 49ers in the 1971 NFC Championship; the last pro game ever played at Kezar. During my high school junior and senior years, we had season tickets, and I knew my dad made a financial sacrifice to buy those tickets. So, I phoned him to express my thanks.

Jon: Dad, do you want to go to the game this weekend?

Dad: Of course, But it's impossible to get tickets.

Jon: Well, this is your lucky day. I have two tickets, and Jamie is about to overnight
them to you.


And then, I made a strategic pivot to honor my parents.

Jon: Why don't you take Mom with you?


THE 49ERS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL


Finally, it could definitively be said the 49ers are going to the Super Bowl.

I intended to give my dad a fun game day experience and a chance to witness a win. He got much more: An exhilarating win and euphoric memories to last a lifetime.

People ask me if you knew then what you know now—what an incredible game it would be—would you have attended?


No. Giving up those tickets has never caused me a twinge of regret. The Dallas game was my parents' moment to share and my opportunity to say thanks.


Photo by Job Opelt


I'm not just sharing my memories but inviting you to be part of this journey. Reach out to me via email (jjopelt@gmail.com) or a tweet (from_the_stands@#49ers). Share your favorite 49ers moment you saw in person, on television, or heard on the radio. Please send me a captioned photo of you at the game. Tell me what made that game so memorable to you. Remember to leave your name and city of residence and check in because your comments may feature in a future article, making this a collective recollection of our shared love for the 49ers.

Written By:

Jon Opelt


Reporter. Immersed in 49ers football from Kezar to Candlestick to Levi's Stadium.
All articles by Jon Opelt
@opelt_jon
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