The San Francisco 49ers will be honoring both kinds of veterans on Sunday, as they perform a salute to servicemen and women in the military in honor of Veteran’s Day, and also honor former players Roger Craig and R.C. Owens, who will be inducted into the 49ers Hall of Fame.
To highlight Alumni Day, Craig and Owens, who will be inducted in the Edward J. Debartolo, Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame on Saturday night, will also be honored at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Giants. Many 49ers Hall of Fame members will be on hand to welcome Craig and Owens to the club, including the 1981 Super Bowl Championship Team.
The 49ers have teamed with USAA, the first Official Military Appreciation Sponsor of the NFL, to host a special Veterans Day program. Several events are included in this weekend’s game against the New York Giants, including:
Candlestick Park will be decorated in a Red, White and Blue tribute to U.S. Military Veterans. More than 50,000 fans will participate in an organized flip-card event revealing a “Thank You” message. The message will be unveiled at the end of the first quarter.
Five members of the Tuskegee Airmen will serve as honorary team captains for the game. Bay Area native Leslie Williams, a Stanford graduate and 30-year 49ers season ticket owner, is among the captains. Joining Williams will be LeRoy Gillead, Harold Hoskins, George Potter and Edward Woodward. The group is being recognized as part of the Lucasfilm release of “Red Tails,” a film about the Tuskegee Airmen, the all-black pilot group that fought in World War II.
“Red Tails” stars Academy Award Winner Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard and acclaimed Broadway star, Elijah Kelly. Kelly will sing the national anthem before the game.
49ers fans are urged to help those in need this holiday season by bringing canned food items to the New York and Arizona games. Donations can be delivered to stadium gates at Candlestick Park before each game.
