President Trump pardons former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.
Feb 18, 2020 at 9:01 AM
•
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order granting clemency for a full pardon for former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr., according to an announcement from the White House on Tuesday. The pardon is for the 1998 felony conviction in which DeBartolo pleaded guilty for failing to report his role in the corruption case against former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards.
DeBartolo did not face jail time after testifying against Edwards. The NFL forced him to pay a $1 million fine, and he was suspended following the 1998 season. DeBartolo never returned to the 49ers or any NFL team after that point but was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
All five of the 49ers' Super Bowl championships have come under DeBartolo's ownership. The team has been to the Super Bowl twice since but lost both games, including Super Bowl LIV, earlier this month.
Former 49ers greats, such as Jerry Rice and Ronnie Lott, were in attendance at the announcement on Tuesday, according to NBC News White House Correspondent Peter Alexander.
"Thirty years ago, I got the opportunity to play the greatest game ever, NFL football," Rice said at the White House on Tuesday. "It was because of Eddie DeBartolo and also Bill Walsh and that organization. It was all about family. That's really what they stood for, and that's the reason why, I think, we won so many championships and so many ball games.
"So Eddie was like that 12th man that was on that football field, and you know that this guy, he wanted us to win. And I think he's the main reason why we won so many Super Bowls. So today's a great day for him. I'm glad to be here and be a part of that, and it's just something I'll never forget. This man, he has done so much in the community, has done so much in NFL football, and today is a great day for him."
After purchasing the team in 1977, in addition to the five championships, DeBartolo helped the 49ers to 16 consecutive seasons of 10-or-more wins during his 23 years as owner.
Related News
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Former NFL WR: Brandon Aiyuk told me he doesn't want to leave 49ers
Former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh claims to have recently spoken to Brandon Aiyuk, stating that the star player has no desire to leave the San Francisco 49ers.
Aiyuk and the 49ers are currently negotiating a contract extension, aiming to finalize a new deal. Of course, that hasn't prevented significant media speculation surrounding Aiyuk's future, with many wondering if the delay might hint at a potential trade.
Well-informed 49ers fans know that the team typically finalizes its significant contract extensions closer to training camp, as seen with George Kittle in 2020, Fred Warner in 2021, and Deebo Samuel in 2022. Last year, negotiations with Nick Bosa concluded just days before Week
Former NFL exec on 49ers' Brock Purdy: "I think he needs to find more fire"
Brock Purdy isn't one to seek the spotlight. He exudes politeness, respect, and an even-keeled demeanor when speaking to reporters during interviews. Nothing we've seen from the San Francisco 49ers quarterback's time off the field would indicate that it's a facade.
However, on the field, Purdy can show some fire, particularly after a big play or in an effort to ensure his teammates are on the same page as him. While praising the third-year quarterback, one unnamed former NFL executive expressed a desire to see more of that fire from Purdy in the future, believing it is crucial to his development.
"Brock Purdy is one of the most talented arms that I've seen," the former executive recently
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
