Super Bowl Portfolio (1984-95)

All Photos by Tony Mangia

Charles Haley told 49ers rookies to 'Act like the white guys': Report

Charles Haley was a larger-than-life character back during his NFL playing career and, through all of the antics, was able to win five Super Bowl rings and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in August.

So it was really no surprise when the five-time Pro-Bowler, who played eight years in San Francisco, was asked to speak to the 49ers rookies back in May.

But what might be a little shocking to some people though is what Haley said to those NFL newbies.

"As far as the rookies, and I know they probably got mad, but I said, 'Why don't you all act like the white guys? You never see them in the paper getting high or hitting people," Haley said, via the San Jose Mercury News. "'Why don't you act like that?' They all looked at me crazy."

The 51-year-old Haley wasn't necessarily trying to be controversial with his comments, he was just trying to get the attention of a group of rookies — Something that's much easier said then done in this world of cell phones, Twitter and Instagram.

"I just did it for the shock value of it," Haley said. "The hardest thing is these guys, they have an attention span of a 5-year-old. I'm not the most gentle and kind person to sit there and deal with that crap. I'm a little more confrontational. I think I got my point across."

Lost in all of Haley's reasoning was the fact that 49ers fullback Bruce Miller, who is white, was arrested two months earlier following an incident with his fiancee and ultimately pleaded no contest to disturbing the peace.

Still, Haley maintained that his main point was that young players need to find the right role models to follow early in their careers. He cited Ronnie Lott, Michael Carter and Joe Montana as some of the players that provided that direction for him early in his career.

"You've got to have people that stand for something, until you're able to lead yourself," said Haley.

Top selling throwback jersey sales state-by-state may surprise you

You've seen them worn at every stadium and arena in the country and if you ever wondered what old school throwback jersey fans purchase the most in each state, here is your answer.

The clothing company, Mitchell & Ness, put together a map of the best-selling old school jerseys in each state — and some of the big sellers may shock you. 

Kobe Bryant (A throwback already? Isn't there a five-year rule?) is tops in seven states — Oregon, Nevada, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee and Rhode Island — but, surprisingly, not California where Montana, as in Joe, rules.

In Montana, as in the state, Roger Staubach is the big gun while Wayne Gretzky is the Great One in Alaska. I guess the hosers in Canada get to contribute to that one.

The top old jersey in New Jersey was Ex-Jets QB Joe Namath's No. 12 and, funny enough, Broadway Joe's uniform top was also a best-seller on Main Street ... in Iowa?

Oddly, Namath was outsold by Knicks legend Patrick Ewing in New York but Pennsylvania still loves their ex-Eagles QB Randall Cunningham and Virginia still adores Riggo.

Most of the results make sense: Barry Sanders in Michigan or Pat Tillman in Arizona, but who can explain why Dave Winfield's No. 31 Padre's shirt is even worn 3,200 miles away never mind being the most worn throwback jersey in Maine? 

And why is Mickey Mantle so popular in Idaho? Or likewise, Lou Gehrig in Wyoming?

Hmm... maybe those old Yankees fans are cowboys at heart.

Joe Montana puts Heisman winners in their place (VIDEO)

Although Joe Montana was never really considered in Heisman Trophy voting in either of his final two years at Notre Dame, he has what Heisman winners Bo Jackson, Doug Flutie, Herschel Walker  never got — Super Bowl rings. Four of them.

Throw in a 1977 National Championship and you've got a lot of bling.

The former Fighting Irish quarterback seems to have gotten over his lack of a Heisman in this hilarious AT&T commercial by showing off his impressive jewelry collection  —  four Super Bowl rings and a 1977 national title ring — to the three slienced former college stars.

Yup. Rings beat trophies any day.

Joe Montana hits Eddie DeBartolo for final TD in Candlestick (VIDEO)

It seemed only fitting that San Francisco 49ers icon Joe Montana threw Candlestick Park's
last touchdown pass in a "game" to former team owner Eddie DeBartolo as the Niners did something the notorious San Francisco Bay winds never could — blow out the last flicker of light on the beloved stadium.

Montana rallied his team to down his All-Stars opponents, 45-40, in the Legends of Candlestick flag football game on Saturday night in a touching farewell to the concrete lady.

In 2014 the 49ers will unveil Levi's Stadium, their spanking new home after 33 years in creaky, 54-year-old Candlestick.

More than 25,000 fans were in attendance to say goodbye to Candlestick. The flag-football game that matched 49ers legends against past NFL All-Stars was the final salute to the team's glorious history in what was sadly becoming known as Candlestink. 

"It's a dream come true to get everybody back here," DeBartolo told the San Francisco Chronicle. "And have a fitting end to this stadium. It's a special place that has great, great memories for us that will last forever."

RT @mercbrownie: Montana's game-winning pass to DeBartolo, wanted owner to be last person to score a TD @ 'The Stick. pic.twitter.com/AoY7cVCjqM
— Anthony Ly (@AnthonyLy49) July 13, 2014

Montana threw three touchdown passes while Steve Young rushed for a score. Jeff Garcia added two touchdowns, with one going to Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice.

After Montana's game-winning pass, DeBartolo was carried off the field by his team.

Redskins' Cofield calls Eli the new 'Montana'

Washington Redskins defensive tackle Barry Cofield got a close up view how elite New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning had become from the sidelines when they played as teammates for five years.

Since last season, the former Giants starter has had the reverse angle on how good Manning is while watching from the opposite side of the ball wearing the Giants division rival's burgundy and yellow.

Yesterday, Cofield was witness to another fourth-quarter Manning comeback when Easy E hit Victor Cruz on a 77-yard bomb with 1:13 left to give the Giants a wild 27-23 victory over the 'Skins.  Too bad  for Cofield, it was from the losing side's perspective.

After the game, Cofield paid his props and elevated Manning's elite status to another level when he placed him in the same company of the former San Francisco 49ers great Joe Montana.

"Eli is like Joe Montana right now," said Cofield.  "When I was here, he was good, showing flashes, he's exceptional right now.  He's got nerves of steel.  To beat this team you are gonna have to bury him, then you have to put the dirt on top of him and then put the cement on top of him and then watch it dry.  Anything short of that they are still in the game."

The unbelievable rally marked the eighth game winning-drive that Manning has led in the last two seasons and the 24th time in the quarterback's career that he's led Big Blue to victory after trailing in the  fourth quarter.

Sunday's win might not be classified as one of Manning's prettiest outings but, like Montana, it's the final result that matters most.  For Manning's career, that could be the Hall of Fame too.

Joe Montana picks Luck over RG3 in the long run

Joe was on ESPN's "First Take" to promote the new Madden 13 game when the round table discussion inevitably came around to co-host Skip Bayless asking the four-time Super Bowl winner which rookie he would pick to have more long-term success as an NFL quarterback — Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III.

Montana  tried to dodge the question before a nagging Bayless said, "Close your eyes and pick."

The former San Francisco 49ers great shook his head and finally answered, "Luck.  Because he's more of a pro-style guy."

Joe Cool also said RG3 has a lot of upside, but warned him that a quarterback "learns how to slide."

"Guys like RG3 start running and get hit," said Montana.  "He's a big guy, dang, [but] you can't take a hit like a fullback."



The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins met over the weekend, in what was called just another preseason game, but was really a showcase for the top two quarterbacks in the 2012 NFL Draft.  Both signal-callers lived up to the hype and played to a virtual tie — even though the Redskins won the game 30-17.

Griffin III finished going 11-for-17 for 74 yards and a TD while Luck — the man he will be compared to for the next decade or so — completed 14 of 23 throws for 151 yards and a TD.

It's easy to see why Montana hemmed-and-hawed when he was put on the spot. It looks like both players could be headed for long and successful NFL careers.