Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers attempt to bring Super Bowl 50 to the team’s new stadium in Santa Clara got a boost on Thursday with the additions of Steve Young and George Seifert to the bid committee. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee made the announcement on Thursday in a press conference at City Hall.

Young and Seifert will travel to Boston on May 21 with the rest of the 49ers Super Bowl bid committee to make a presentation in front of NFL owners. Both former 49ers legends have experience in the Super Bowl and together they won Super Bowl XXXII in 1995, with Young as the starting QB and Seifert the head coach. In that game, Young threw a Super Bowl-record six touchdown passes.

If the 49ers win the bid to host the Super Bowl in 2016 the game will played at their new stadium in Santa Clara, however, all of the festivities leading up to the game will take place in San Francisco. The other finalist to host Super Bowl L is Sun Life Stadium where the Miami Dolphins play home games.

Should the city of San Francisco win the bid to host Super Bowl L, it will be the second time in NFL history the Bay Area hosted the championship game. Super Bowl XIX in 1985 was played at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California.

It’s a feeling of excitement, even when the 49ers went 2-14 in 2004, I still believed in the 49ers, and knew they were a team with a strong heart. The torture, the heartaches, the disappointments, has all been worth the wait.

The Faithful have been heartbroken eight times by NFC Championship game losses, so the fact that they made it to the Super Bowl, makes this, that much more special, as Dayola also said:

My heart still stings from the way we lost last season, and now it’s time to redeem ourselves.

In addition, the San Francisco 49ers have yet to lose a Super Bowl, boasting a perfect 5-0 record. So with history on their side, it certainly bodes well for the reigning NFC Champs. However, the game still has to be played, and with the Baltimore Ravens standing in their way, this will certainly be no cake walk.

With the bay area showered in red and gold, everyone is anticipating a happy homecoming!

As I was driving down freeways 101 and 280/680, I witnessed numerous vehicles sporting 49ers flags. Then as I continued to walk around Santana Row and Valley Fair Shopping Center, more faithful pride was apparent, as I saw everyone, from grandparents to babies, donning 49ers clothes. One could not simply walk into Sports Fever, Lids, or Winners, without a long line out the door for 49ers memorabilia. It truly put a smile on my face, as everyone is collectively in it together, for one common goal, and that’s to win the Super Bowl.

In my 29 years of living in the bay area, I have never seen so much 49ers pride. The team spirit has quickly spread like wildfire, and you can’t help but love the overwhelming support. Whether the fans are just wearing the apparel to support a bay area team or a life long die-hard, we are all in it together, as we root our team on, in their quest for six.

Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers (2) kicks the ball out of the hold by punter Andy Lee (4) during the second quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

As the San Francisco 49ers prepare for their “Quest for Six,” special teams will undoubtedly be a factor in determining the outcome of the game. Whether it’s 49ers punter Andy Lee’s ability to boom a punt, Safety C.J. Spillman’s speed to cover a return-man, or kicker David Akers making a field-goal, they will all play a huge role in the Super Bowl, especially if the game turns into a defensive struggle. So with two out of the three occurring on a habitual-basis, how will Akers fare in the biggest game of his life? Surprisingly well.

Jan 20, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers (2) reacts after missing a 38-yard field goal against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

First of all, Akers is playing inside a dome, with zero wind factor, for the second consecutive game. In the NFC Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons, Akers was five for five on kickoffs going for touchbacks. A huge plus for the defense, as the opposing offense will need to sustain a drive of at least 45 yards. A difficult task for any offense to achieve.

Secondly, Akers has played under pressure before, with his first Super Bowl stint as a Philadelphia Eagle, in Super Bowl XXXIX. Although, he did not attempt a field-goal, he went 3 for 3 on extra-points. A small consolation prize for a player struggling with missed field-goals.

November 19, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers (2) celebrates after making a field goal out of the hold by punter Andy Lee (4) against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of field-goals, while many NFL pundits predict another David Akers fallout, I think otherwise. It is no surprise that Akers’ leg has been sporadic this year. He led the league with 13 missed field-goals, while also tying the NFL record for the longest field-goal made, of 63 yards. So which Akers, can the 49ers expect today? I’m leaning toward the Akers of 2011. You know, the one who set numerous NFL records and re-wrote the record books.

According to 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, Akers has been extremely accurate in practice, nailing everything in sight. As Harbaugh said of Akers’ accuracy:

David Akers didn’t miss a kick all week.

December 2, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers (2) celebrates with punter Andy Lee (4) after kicking a field goal as St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins (21) looks on during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. St. Louis defeated San Francisco 16-13 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

However, despite Akers’ reported accuracy, it has not translated into games, making him the epitome of a practice player. Nevertheless, Akers’ will succeed because of martial arts. Yes, martial arts. While playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Akers’ sought advice from Brazilian JiuJitsu instructor Anthony Mangenello. The unorthodox teachings helped Akers develop discipline and control, as Akers said:

I think martial arts would be a great thing for any kicker to get involved in…I want to be that limber and that fierce, and still have the focus and control. That’s all kicking is. You’ve got one fierce kick and you’ve got to be focused on it. You can’t let anything on the outside get in and bother you.

With Akers having two violatile seasons in San Francisco, it will be interesting to see if Akers can regain his form, that made him a six-time All-Pro. And if I had to guess, I would say he realigns his zen and proves his doubters wrong.