10 traits that set 49ers fans apart from rest of the NFL
By Peter Panacy
No. 5: 49ers fans unanimously love Eddie DeBartolo Jr.
It’s rare to see fanbases out there sing praises about their team’s ownership. Most fans adore their teams but either feel indifferent about the ownership, or in some cases, outright hostile.
Niners fans have experienced both sides of the spectrum. In more recent years, there was no shortage of outrage directed at the York family, specifically CEO Jed York, for heavily influencing the laughingstock years between 2003 and 2010, and then again between 2015 and 2016.
Perhaps York finally turned things around, and one can only hope prior experiences taught him well.
Or, just as possibly, he can see just how beloved San Francisco’s previous owner, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., is among the fanbase.
The Hall of Fame owner remains an endearing part of 49ers lore, being the architect of the greatest dynasty in Bay Area history while also treating nearly every player who came aboard like a first-class family.
In short, DeBartolo cared about one thing only, and that was winning. The Niners won a lot with him at the helm, and fans haven’t forgotten that.