Sports

The 49ers are headed to the Super Bowl after dominating the Packers 37-20

Published

5 years ago

January 19, 2020

Santa Clara – The 49ers have punched their ticket to the Super Bowl. After a dominating first half, it was clear only one team showed up to play. Raheem Mostert scored four touchdowns, San Francisco’s defense forced three turnovers and Richard Sherman’s interception in the final minutes was the icing on the cake. The running game was unstoppable and the reward, a trip to Miami for Super Bowl Fifty-Four.

“Still surreal. You know, I just — I can’t believe that I’m in this position right now and I did the things that I did tonight,” said Mostert. “And I would like to thank God first and foremost for blessing not only myself but everybody in the organization to be in the position that we’re in, to get the win and to move on to Miami, my home state. And I can’t believe it. I’m still being able to play at my home state. This is so surreal right now.”

The 49ers 37-20 victory over the Green Bay Packers was well deserved. A phenomenal season where the team went undefeated through eight games before they recorded their first lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Now, they return to the Super Bowl after a rebuilding period during the Jim Harbaugh years. Harbaugh took San Francisco to the Super Bowl back in 2012 where he lost 34-31 to his brother John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens.

“This is like everybody coming to work,” T Joe Staley said. “The attitude that everybody has every single day. There are no egos. Everybody generally pulls for each other. No one cares about what credit that they get. [49ers QB] Jimmy [Garoppolo] doesn’t care if he throws for 300 yards or what did he pass today for 50-60? He doesn’t care and same with the running backs. [49ers TE George] Kittle is a superstar and he could care less about his stats. Top to bottom everybody just wants to pull for each other and win. It is just a special bunch.”

A special bunch indeed, the chemistry on this team began in preseason and became stronger with each game. Almost every game, the team gave it their all. Tonight, the offense rushed for 285 yards and 4 touchdowns on 42 attempts. The team’s 285 total rushing yards were the second most in postseason franchise history, and the 6th most by any team in the postseason since 1970.

Mostert finished with 29 carries for 220 yards and 4 touchdowns, marking the first postseason rushing touchdowns of his career. Mostert 220 rushing yards, set a franchise record for most rushing yards in a game, regular season or postseason. HIs 220 rushing yards are the 2nd most in a postseason game in the Super Bowl era [LA Rams running back Eric Dickerson – 248 yards vs Dallas Cowboys (1/4/86 – NFC Divisional game)] and his 4 rushing touchdown are tied for 2nd most in a Super Bowl era.

“The lanes that we saw and the way he was running, just wanted to keep feeding him,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan. Raheem is not someone who is going to come up and tell me a bunch during the game. I know he was feeling it and it wasn’t too hard to see.”

The 49ers got off to a rocky start after going with their running game on opening drive. Tevin Coleman had 5 attempts for 17 yards but the Packers forced them to punt. On the next drive, the 49ers went with their passing game before Jimmy Garoppolo handed off a pass to Mostert for a 36-yard touchdown. Green Bay’s offense completely collapsed in the first, Nick Bosa recorded the first sack on Aaron Rodgers.

“Not getting that first third down didn’t quite help for sure,” Rodgers said. “We just weren’t very consistent in the first half. I made a couple of mistakes, personally, that hurt us. We kind of let it get away from us.”

[On the botched snap] “It didn’t help. We could’ve cut that to two scores there at a minimum. It was like the fourth down snap the first time we played them. It was a big turning point.”

DeForest Buckner recovered Rodgers fumble and that led to Robbie Gould’s second field goal making it a 20-0 game to start the second quarter. Another turnover proved costly for Green Bay. Rodgers pass was intended for Geronimo Allison, but Emmanuel Mosley intercepted the ball. With 50 seconds left on the clock, Mostert rushed for an 18-yard touchdown to end the half with the 49ers leading 27-0.

By the third, the Packers came alive with Rodgers connecting with Aaron Jones for a 9-yard touchdown. Jones also rushed up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown giving Green Bay another scored run. Rodgers then went deep in the fourth to Jimmy Graham for a 43-yard touchdown making it a 34-20 game. But Green Bay couldn’t stop Mostert’s fourth touchdown that extended San Francisco’s lead 34-7. And Gould’s 42-yard field goal was the final score to cap off an outstanding victory.

“I think you go back to OTAs, man,” Said Buckner. We all knew we could be a special group, a special team this year. And just seeing the guys work, work through a lot of things from OTAs, to training camp and preseason. The guys just fed off of each other, you know what I mean? Offense, defense special teams, everybody. We’ve got a lot of selfless guys playing for each other. That’s the key ingredient being able to play for your brother next to you, no matter what happens. Doesn’t matter who gets the stats or anything. We’re just trying to go out there and win football games and I think we have a really special group.”

“Yeah, I mean we keep it fun,” Sherman said. “We keep it loose. There were a few people that came in our locker room for the first time throughout the week and they were like, ‘Man, this is the loosest locker room.’ You would think this is a winning team. But, that’s the difference. That’s the difference when you’re confident, when you know what you’re playing for, when you know what you’re doing, when you’re locked in.

You don’t have to sit there serious and worry and sit there with anxiety. You can enjoy, let your hair down because you know you’re putting the work in. You put the work in every single day and you’re prepared. Now, when you’re not prepared and you’re nervous, you sit there locked in, quiet. No music in the locker room. Let’s be locked in. But, that’s not our team. We have a bunch of guys who enjoy this game and play it in a way that brings us a lot of joy, the receiving corps especially. They’re a fun group and they’re enjoying the ride, but they’re still locked in. They’re making huge plays.”

Super Bowl LIV is set for February 2, 2020 at 3:30 pm PST at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Malaika Bobino

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Sacramento Kings and Black-Owned Digital License Plate Firm Enter History-Making Partnership

Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston attended the Sacramento Kings’ season opener at Golden 1 Center, witnessing players debut the company’s patch. Reviver proudly supports the Sacramento Kings’ community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston attended the Sacramento Kings' season opener at Golden 1 Center, witnessing players debut the company's patch. Reviver proudly supports the Sacramento Kings' community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

Reviver, the world’s first digital license plate and connected vehicle platform, has entered into a history-making jersey patch partnership with the Sacramento Kings, team officials announced right before the team’s season opener on Oct. 24.

The collaboration establishes Reviver as the first Black-founded technology jersey patch partner in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The Reviver logo now appears on the left front strap of Kings’ uniforms.

Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston was in attendance to see the company’s patch worn by the Kings, during a game with the Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento.

“It was an absolutely amazing night. More than I ever expected,” Boston told California Black Media (CBM). “The Sacramento Kings have been incredible. On a national, and maybe a worldwide level, this partnership raises the profile of Reviver with the assistance of (Kings chairman and CEO) Vivek Ranadivé and the Kings.”

According to the Kings’ brass, Reviver, supported by the Black Star Fund, a Black-led venture capital firm based in Sacramento, is now an official “innovation partner” of the Kings and Golden 1 Center; a presenting partner of “Capitalize Technology,” a King’s corporate social investment initiative; and the exclusive digital license plate of the Sacramento Kings.

Headquartered in Granite Bay, a suburb of Sacramento, Reviver was born from a vision to modernize and streamline the vehicle registration renewal process. On Jan. 1, 2023, the state of California joined Georgia, Colorado, Michigan, and Arizona as states that have approved digital license plates for use statewide, after Reviver completed a four-year pilot program that evaluated a replacement for metal plates.

About 10,000 California drivers bought digital plates during the pilot program. Vehicles registered with the state are eligible to adopt the new high-tech tags. Reviver existence was made possible when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 984 in September 2022.

Under that law, California vehicle owners can update their titles, registrations, and other records remotely. In addition, the digital license “RPlate” includes a flashing message if a vehicle is reported stolen or if there is an Amber Alert.

Ranadivé is spreading the news that Reviver has international potential.

“This jersey patch partnership with Reviver continues the Kings long tradition of using our global platform to promote innovation and technology,” Ranadivé stated. “It’s particularly exciting to showcase a homegrown company that was part of our Kings Capitalize program. This is just the beginning of our work together, and we look forward to helping Reviver in its mission to modernize the driving experience.”

The commercial use of patches in professional basketball all began in 2009 when the Women’s Basketball Association (WNBA) Phoenix Mercury removed its name to replace it with sponsor, LifeLock, an identity-theft protection company. The landmark deal netted a contract worth about $1 million annually.

Kindra Montgomery-Block, vice president of diversity, equity, and social impact for the Sacramento Kings, was the integral facilitator who assisted Boston and his team in connecting with the sports franchise that is boasting 40 years in the Capital City.

“This partnership between the Kings and Reviver, backed by the Black Star Fund, will invest in the Sacramento community to promote technology and innovation in the region,” Montgomery-Block stated. “Reviver will support the Sacramento Kings community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.”

Editor’s Note: Neville Boston is a California Black Media board member.

Oakland Post

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Black History

Martial Artist Victor Moore: An American Karate and Kickboxing Pioneer

Throughout his career, Moore defeated many national champions, including Joe Lewis, Mike Stone, and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. Moore placed in every tournament he competed in from 1965 until his retirement in 1975, defeating renowned national champions such as Mike Foster, Chuck Norris, Fred Wren, Glenn Keeney, James Hawkes, and Jim Kelly. Moore emphasizes that winning or losing does not diminish a champion’s credibility — they are all champions in his eyes.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 3, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo Courtesy of BlackPast.Org

By Tamara Shiloh

Victor Moore, born on Aug. 23, 1943, holds a 10th-degree Black Belt in Karate and is a four-time world karate champion.

As one of the chief instructors under Robert Trias in the Shuri-ryu Karate system, Moore was also among the first ten members of the Trias International Society. Over his 50-year martial arts career, he trained in various styles, including Chito-ryu with William J. Dometrich, Judo, Kempo, and Bondo karate.

Moore began his martial arts journey at the age of 7 in Cincinnati, lifting weights and reading Charles Atlas books to guide his training. By age 9, he had learned the basics of jujitsu and judo, and at 12, he began training in Kempo karate under Ronald Williams, who awarded him his first black belt after five years of instruction.

In 1961, Moore expanded his training by joining a judo school led by Ray Hughes and later trained in Gyu Ryu-karate under Harvey Eubanks. He studied Kempo with Bill Dometrich and continued exploring different karate styles. Instructors at the time, required students to start as white belts in each new style, even if they held black belts elsewhere, which shaped Moore’s adaptability.

Chung Ling, an exchange student from China, introduced Moore and others to Chuan Fa, enhancing Moore’s understanding of martial arts. He also took up judo at a school in Cincinnati, where he earned his brown belt, and trained in karate with Jim Wax, who had studied under the Shimabuku brothers. Moore’s toughness was further honed by his boxing experience at the 9th Street YMCA, where he became a sparring partner for Tiger Joe Harris.

At Central State University, Professor Barry Yasuto trained Moore in Shotokan karate, but Moore was denied entry to the Japanese Karate Association, possibly due to his race. After returning to Cincinnati, Moore opened his first karate school and began competing in national tournaments. He traveled across the U.S., eventually meeting Robert Trias, who became his mentor and helped him rise to the second-degree black belt level. Under Trias, Moore continued training in Kempo and Goju-Ryu styles.

Moore also trained under Dr. Maung Gyi, learning Bondo karate, stick fighting, and kickboxing. In 1973, Moore and Joe Lewis introduced kickboxing to America on the Merv Griffin TV show. Moore competed in the first kickboxing tournament in the U.S., facing Jim Harrison in a historic fight.

Moore continues to teach martial arts, working with instructors and students nationwide. His daughters, Vickie and Vonnie, and his son, Vanceston, also train under his guidance.

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

Cal State East Bay Athletic Department Holds Hall of Fame Gala

The university honored exceptional athletes, teams, and coaches at their annual celebration before 200 guests. The Class of 2024 included the 1999-2000 Pioneer Softball Team that won the Cal Pac Championship in 2000 and went on to win the first two games of the NAIA Region II Playoffs and combined 32-3 in CalPac over the two seasons.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 3, 2024

Oakland Post

Honoree Lorenzo Hall of CSUEB's Men's Basketball Team 1986-1990 surrounded by his family at the CSUEB 2024 Pioneer Hall of Fame Gala at the Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward, California. Photo Courtesy of Dr. LaQuitta Simms.

By Carla Thomas

California State University East Bay Athletics (CSUEB) hosted their 2024 Pioneer Hall of Fame Gala at the Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward on Saturday, Oct. 19.

The university honored exceptional athletes, teams, and coaches at their annual celebration before 200 guests.

The Class of 2024 included the 1999-2000 Pioneer Softball Team that won the Cal Pac Championship in 2000 and went on to win the first two games of the NAIA Region II Playoffs and combined 32-3 in CalPac over the two seasons.

The 1999 CalPac Player of the Year was Pioneer Hall-of-Famer Danielle Stines and also on the 1999 team was Pioneer Hall-of-Famer Angel Alcorcha.

In 2000, the Pioneers swept the premier CalPac Awards, and Rachel Abrams was named Player of the Year, Christy Smith was named Pitcher of the Year, and Karen Lee Yoder (Matteson) was named Coach of the Year. Their team record for batting average in 1999 still stands after 25 years with an amazing combined .347.

Lorenzo Hall of CSUEB’s Men’s Basketball Team 1986-1990 was recognized for his achievements as a two-time All-NCAC selection, ranking in the top-10 in program history for assists, steals, free throw percentage and scoring.

At the time of his graduation, Hall held NCAC records for assists and steals. He also served as an assistant coach for the Pioneers after his playing career and created the nonprofit First Step Basketball to guide the next generation of young athletes.

Inductee and Women’s Gymnastics Coach Dorie Krepton of 1971-1985 led the team through winning 145 of 171 meets, 84% of their competition.

Through her 14 years of leading the Pioneers, Krepton coached the program to five Golden Gate Conference Championships, and the team qualified and participated in six NCAA Gymnastics National Championships. She also coached 10 All-American Athletes, including Pioneer Hall of Famers Holly Moore Leonard and Janet Kramer.

The seven-time Coach of the Year honoree served as Kinesiology and Physical Education professor emeritus at Cal State East Bay, which offered a degree option in exercise nutrition in the Kinesiology Department.

Bob Olsen of the CSUEB Men’s Track and Field Team, 1976-1979, was a member of 1977 NCAA Division II National Championship team and the two-time Far Western Conference Champion in pole vault, 1978 and 1979. Olsen was a four-time All-Conference selection and in 1976, Olsen became the first freshman pole vaulter in Division II to clear 16 feet.

Olsen was in the top 10 in the pole vault at the NCAA Division II Championships four times in his career.

Honoree Kulwant Singh served as the men’s and women’s assistant soccer coach from 1983-1990. The women’s team won six straight conference championships from 1984 to 1989. Singh served on the coaching staff alongside Pioneer Hall of Famer Colin Lindores.

In 1985, Singh coached the women’s team to an undefeated regular season (18-0) and lost to UC Santa Barbara on a golden goal in the NCAA playoffs. Singh was assistant coach for the 1988 NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship team and helped the 1989 men’s soccer team reach the NCAA Division II Championship semifinals.

Singh also played on the pitch as a Pioneer before coaching in Hayward and currently serves as commissioner for the Central Valley Conference.

The inductees also participated in several days of alumni activity, beginning with Pioneer Alumni Day on Thursday, Oct. 17.

With the addition of the new members, the Pioneers Hall of Fame now features 119 individuals and four teams.

During sports seasons, the Pioneer Gymnasium is open to the public, and guests can view the school’s Hall of Fame Wall.