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GIVING BACK
— NFL —
By Tom Williams
YOUNGSTOWN
Monday’s Edward J. DeBartolo Memorial Scholarship Foundation fund-raiser at Stambaugh Auditorium was just the warm-up act for how much giving back the San Francisco 49ers will be doing over the next nine months.
Jed York, the Niners’ CEO, said the team will donate 25 percent of the revenue generated when the Niners host Super Bowl 50 next February at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
“Super Bowl 50 will be the most philanthropic Super Bowl that has ever taken place,” said York, explaining that his staff is working with the host committee on preparations for the NFL’s party of the year. “They will probably raise $40-50 million.
“We want 25 percent of what is raised to go back into the community,” York said. “We wanted to make sure there is a long-lasting element from the Super Bowl that people can see for decades and generations to come.
“We’re going to be able to raise $10-to-$15 million [for charity].”
Monday’s benefit for the foundation honoring York’s grandfather was the kickoff for a busy year for the Niners in this region. Team executives will be present on Aug. 8 when Charles Haley is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
The only five-time Super Bowl winner (two with the Niners, three with the Dallas Cowboys), the former defensive lineman/linebacker said York’s uncle, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., will deliver his induction speech. DeBartolo owned the team from 1978-99 when York’s parents, Denise and John York of Canfield, became the owners.
“From that day forward, every day has been a whirlwind,” Haley said of his being voted into the Hall of Fame in February. “The best part of this deal is [I’ll be] up on stage with these men that I’ve idolized and I get to turn around with my [gold] jacket on and say ‘wow.’
“That might make me cry,” said Haley, who asked DeBartolo to give his introduction “because we started here. I learned how to be a professional here, especially with [former head coach] Bill Walsh and Mr. D. He did everything first class. I love the man, he’s never been anything but good to me.”
York isn’t surprised his uncle is held in high regard by his former players.
“I think Eddie was one of the greatest, if not the greatest, owner in the history of professional sports,” York said. “For him to be there and [introduce] one of the greatest defensive lineman, I think it’s a symbolic moment.”
Haley played for the Niners from 1986-91 and the Cowboys from 1992-96. He returned to the Niners in 1998 for two seasons.
“We’re very happy for Charles,” York said “It’s [taken] a while for him to get to the Hall of Fame and I think it’s really going to be a fun day to have everybody back in Northeast Ohio again.”
During the 2015 NFL season, the 49ers will play in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The first visit will be on Sept. 27 when the Niners play the Steelers at Heinz Field.
That will be the first time that Jim Tomsula, the Niners’ head coach and Pittsburgh native who replaced Jim Harbaugh last winter, will be at the Steelers’ 15-year-old stadium.
“The last time I was at a professional game [in Pittsburgh] was at Three Rivers Stadium when I was a kid,” said Tomsula, the Niners’ former defensive line coach. “I’m not a big stadium guy, but obviously it’s home. It will be special to be around family. I think my mother will have Father Nick and maybe 10 or 12 priests there.
“It will be nice.”
That game also will mark the return of Eric Wolford, the former Youngstown State head football coach who is an assistant offensive line coach for Tomsula.
“Wolfie is awesome,” Tomsula said. “I always thought as an offensive line coach, he did a terrific job getting guys ready. He taught fundamentals, I noticed, at South Carolina.”
Wolford and Tomsula hooked up after YSU dismissed Wolford last November and the Niners allowed Harbaugh to leave for the University of Michigan.
“We spoke and I thought [he] is a nice fit,” Tomsula said of hiring Wolford.
The Niners’ final appearance in the area will be on Dec. 13 in Cleveland when they play the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Seven days before, the 49ers play the Bears in Chicago and it’s still possible that the 49ers will spend the week after the Bears game in Youngstown if YSU’s facilities are available like they were in 2011 and 2012.
York said no decision has been made.
“There’s a chance,” York said.
Standing in the way is how well the Penguins do this fall under head coach Bo Pelini. The third week of the FCS playoffs is scheduled for the weekend of the 49ers-Browns game.
“That’s one of the [factors] we’re waiting on,” York said.
Jim Tressel, YSU president, said it would be “a thrill for our community” if it works out.
“We would love it to happen” if the facilities are available, Tressel said. “Anytime we can get them back here and [put] a little spotlight on our community, it’s all good.”