MONTANA ON RICE

Joe Montana #16, Jerry Rice #80

Some years back, I was called in to do tech direction for an awards dinner at the San Francisco St. Francis Hotel ballroom.

Sure, why not.  I showed up, we set up the gear, and I learned that it was for the San Francisco Sports Hall of Fame.

A few hours before dinner, the hosts and guests started to show up.  Jerry Rice was the first, he walked up to me, introduced himself and I about fell over.  Then Joe Montana showed up, then Steve Young.  Since they were to be seated on the stage during the dinner, we all ate together at the same table before the ceremony.

Rice, Young and Montana just talked about normal stuff with the crew; very little football, just basic BS and guy stuff.

The three most gracious and genuine gods of sports to have existed, sitting with us, just a casual dinner.

A 49ers fan's dream, and yep, it was fun.

Young and Montana ended up winging footballs at each other across the ballroom during setup.  Rice stayed out of the way for that bit.

I ran into Rice numerous times after that at tech conferences.  He's the best...and the nicest guy you could ever want to meet.  May their level of class, brains and humility grace the NFL again someday.

Lorin Swelk