What do you give the NFL athlete who already has everything? If you’re the San Francisco 49ers, you’ll need a Peloton cycle and cycling shoes. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, the 49ers will give the bike and shoes to each player and coach as a gift for making it to the Super Bowl.
Some people may take offence to being given gym equipment and gear, but for professional football players, it’s all part of the package. Many of the coaches will undoubtedly put their abilities to use.
According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, “NFL rules allow Super Bowl gifts to players under about $1,700 in value.” So, the 49ers aren’t breaking any rules. It’s just another opportunity for the 49ers to express their appreciation and gratitude to their players and coaches for everything they’ve done.
The 49ers have a history of looking after their players and coaches. According to reports, when former 49ers safety Jeff Fuller suffered a serious neck injury on a tackle during a game against the New England Patriots, Eddie DeBartolo, the 49ers’ owner at the time, left his luxury box, followed the ambulance to the hospital, was there for Fuller, cried with him, and eventually agreed to pay Fuller $100,000 per year for the rest of his life, despite having no legal obligation. Following his injuries, Fuller never played in the NFL again.
According to Sports Illustrated, “When Niner fullback Harry Sydney and his wife, Nancy, gave birth to their third child, DeBartolo sent flowers two hours later. ‘Two hours!’ Sydney replied. When linebacker Jim Fahnhorst’s wife, Kim, had twins, DeBartolo’s flowers weighed 70 pounds. Every time the 49ers win their division—and every Easter—each player and staff member receives two dozen long-stemmed red roses for his wife, mother, or lover.
“When the Niners won their third Super Bowl in January 1989, DeBartolo flew every player, office personnel, and guest to Youngstown, Ohio, his hometown, for two nights. He hired the pastry chef from the Beverly Hills Hotel, the head chef from the Mayfair House hotel in Miami, and four additional cooks from throughout the country. They prepared a gourmet meal for 750 people, complete with freshly cooked pasta, smoked Norwegian salmon, imported lobster, Belgian endive salad, and handcrafted chocolates, all served by more than 100 models trained as waitresses in New York and elsewhere.”
These are the kinds of things DeBartolo was known for doing. The 49ers were the most professional and well-run sporting organisation. Some of this has rubbed off on his nephew, 49ers CEO Jed York.
York stated this week that the team will cover the cost of flying the entire organisation to Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII. This is not York’s first time doing this. Four years ago, the 49ers flew 1,500 staff members and spouses to Miami for the Super Bowl.
York told reporters this week, “We’re going to make sure that everyone, including staff and interns, gets to travel. And we are currently conducting several team charters. I couldn’t tell you all the facts off the top of my head, but a lot of alumni are attending. “People are fired up.”
York has upheld his uncle’s habit of looking after his players, coaches, and staff, as well as their families. Peloton bikes and cycling shoes are another illustration of this.
