San Francisco 49ers

by Matt Maiocco

In San Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone? many memories are revisited through profiles of 49 former players, ranging from colorful Visco Grgich, an original member of the organization, to Steve Young, the latest from the organization to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Long before Young was honored in Canton, Ohio, in 2005, the 49ers have been well-represented in the pro football mecca. Among the Hall of Famers from the team's rich past are Joe Perry, Hugh McElhenny, Y.A. Tittle and Ob St. Clair. What became of those players? We have the answers in this book. Many former 49ers players' accomplishments after their playing careers concluded are just as noteworthy and amazing as what they did on the football field. John Woudenberg, Clay Matthews, Bernie Casey and John Frank each left the game at a young age to begin carving out ultra-successful careers outside of athletics. There are plenty of inspiring stories throughout the pages of San Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone?, such as John Brodie demonstrating an indomitable spirit after nearly losing his life to a stroke in 2000; David Kopay coming out of the closet to be a leader in the gay and lesbian community; Eason Ramson turning his life around after drugs and crime nearly destroyed him; and Jeff Fuller living a full and rewarding life after his promising career came to a sudden end with one of the scariest moments in franchise history. The answers are here for the question every die-hard fan has asked through the years, San Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone?

Genres: Sports

182 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2005

Reviews

[Paul Kapellas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 'must read' for 49er fans from all generations. It's written by Matt Maiocco who uses his expertise from writing newspaper columns (at the time, now he writes online) and transfers the tight style of getting to the 'meat of the story' quickly.
The structure of each "chapter," which is a couple pages based on one player, usually starts with their playing days and then gives some update to 'where they are now.' Maiocco keeps the book fresh by sometimes changing up the format - beginning with the players current state and then referencing their playing days. Either way the stories rarely run on too long and are enough to satisfy the casual to avid fan on who the player is, how they were important and what happened to them.
The downside to this book is that it was written very much in context of the time it was written in. There are references to the players who are "still in touch with Bill Walsh" (who is long deceased at this point) and many references to the incoming "new coach" Mike Nolan - who has tremendous ties to the history of the 49ers (no spoiler here). This book is not "timeless."
I would love to see Maiocco revisit this book and write a "part II" in the future. Give small updates to the players from the first book, include a whole new set of former 49ers and then work on making it "timeless." Overall - this is a book that Niner fans need to read because it fills in the gaps of the stories we already know and gives a fan the sense of the rich history and foundation the 49ers were built on from Kezar Stadium and the 50's and 60's to the Million Dollar Backfield and the group of "Hall of Famers" that came from that era. Get it Niner fans! Read it!

[Sherrie Freitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

☺☺☺☺☺☺coooooooooooooooolllllllllll

[Jim Mcclanahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An almost random traversal of various 49er alumni. Includes Hall of Famers such as Y.A. Tittle, Bob St. Clair, Joe Montana, Steve Young, etc. Also includes fascinating vignettes about Bernie Casey, Billy Wilson. Dave Kopay, Delvin Williams and others with interesting stories about their lives away from football. And some interesting notes about virtual unknowns, such as Visco Grgich, John Woudenberg, Paul Salata and Clay Matthews (Yes, the Packers star's grandfather). A lot of unrelated trivia oftentimes, but certainly absorbing for a diehard 49er fan.