Williams: DeBartolo anxious to learn HOF fate

Over the years, Eddie DeBartolo Jr. has given me the impression that he’s the coolest person in the room, more than able to keep his emotions in check.

So it was a little surprising on Thursday when DeBartolo admitted he’s having trouble sleeping as the Pro Football Hall of Fame vote approaches.

“I’ve been getting up a lot and I can’t blame it on my three dogs,” DeBartolo said during a teleconference call with Bay Area media. “I’m sure it’s playing on my mind.”

The owner of the San Francisco 49ers from 1977-99 said he’s waking up at 2:45 a.m. — and staying up. Apparently, anxiety can even affect the only NFL owner ever to be presented with five Lombardi Trophies.

DeBartolo is one of 18 men who are being considered for induction in the 2016 class. DeBartolo qualified as a contributor.

His competition? The 15 modern-era names are Morten Andersen, Steve Atwater, Don Coryell, Terrell Davis, Tony Dungy, Alan Faneca, Brett Favre, Kevin Greene, Marvin Harrison, Joe Jacoby, Edgerrin James, John Lynch, Terrell Owens, Orlando Pace and Kurt Warner. The seniors committee nominees are Ken Stabler and Dick Stanfel.

Those receiving at least 80 percent of the votes will be inducted.

This is DeBartolo’s fourth time as a finalist (the other years were 2012, 2013 and 2014). If you believe in omens, this could be the right time for the 69-year-old graduate of Cardinal Mooney.

For one, the announcement will come on Feb. 6, one day before the 49ers serve as hosts for Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

For another, DeBartolo is just the third man to be nominated as a contributor. Last year, the first two (Bill Polian and Ron Wolf) were inducted.

DeBartolo is no stranger to Canton. Last summer, he was the presenter for Charles Haley. He had the same role when Jerry Rice, Fred Dean, Bill Walsh and Joe Montana were inducted.

Under DeBartolo’s ownership mostly before the NFL adopted a salary cap, the 49ers won five Super Bowls in 14 seasons. Players heaped praise on the generosity of their owner.

DeBartolo said he tried to “run the 49ers like a family, not a business. I saw the players and myself basically as a partnership. We were one.”

DeBartolo’s life changed in 1998 when he pleaded guilty for failing to report an extortion attempt. Over the next two years, DeBartolo turned the 49ers over to his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, and her husband, John, of Canfield, in exchange for their share of the DeBartolo Corporation’s business interests.

Today, the Yorks’ oldest son, Jed, is the 49ers CEO. He’s also DeBartolo’s godson.

DeBartolo knows his Hall of Fame fate is not under his control.

“It’s such a great honor, I’m just so incredibly humbled and I mean that from the bottom of my heart, even to be considered,” DeBartolo said. “I know the voters take the process really, really seriously. And I have the utmost respect for each and every one of them.”

“There’s nothing I can do. Whatever good I did in the past, whatever bad I did in the past ...

“I hope people say I was good for the league.”

All he can do over the next eight nights is try to find sleep. DeBartolo may need it for the celebration if he receives the NFL’s ultimate honor in his adopted home of 23 years.

Tom Williams is a sportswriter at The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com.