Sports

49ers Shine On Monday Night Amid Controversy

Published

9 years ago

September 13, 2016

Santa Clara, CA – Something that started as a simple protest became bigger than football. Backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the national anthem sparked a nationwide conversation for the last two weeks.

But tonight the Forty-Niners adumbrated the outside noise for four quarters. The focus was back to football as San Francisco hosted the Los Angeles Rams in their season opener.

The 49ers made it look to easy when they used their running game to shutout the Rams 28-0. It was San Francisco’s first season-opening shutout in franchise history. Running back Carlos Hyde rushed for 88 yards with two touchdowns while Blaine Gabbert who beat out Kaepernick for the starting went 22-of-35 for 170 yards with one touchdown to Vance McDonald in the fourth quarter.

The 49ers running game was outstanding throughout the game. By halftime Hyde had 11 carries for 65 yards while Gabbert had 7 carries for 40 yards. Gabbert did a lot of running in the first series and by the second series, San Francisco controlled the tempo of the game. In the first quarter, Hyde had an 11-yard touchdown to complete ten plays on 52 yards in 3 minutes.

Photo by Eric Taylor

“I tell him all the time, Blaine this is me and you,” Hyde said. “We have to work together. And, if we are on the same page, we will kill teams with this read option. I’m like, you can run it just as good as I can run it. So, don’t be afraid to pull it and go make a play. Before the game I told him [Gabbert], if you feel like you can go beat the defensive end to the sideline then go make a play. It’s a two-man game with us when we run the read option.”

By the second quarter, the 49ers forced a turnover when Case Keenum’s pass intended for Todd Gurley was tipped and recovered by NaVorro Bowman. The replay official reviewed the pass interception ruling, and the play was upheld. Gabbert led his team down field to setup Shaun Draughn’s 3-yard touchdown to extend San Francisco’s lead 14-0.

LA’s defense couldn’t stop a fly or the 49ers running game. The Rams offense struggled behind Keenum. He went 22-of-35, 170 yards with two interceptions. It was 2013 when LA won their arbitration to begin the move to Los Angeles. The team had high expectations for this season, but based on their performance tonight, they look like a team rebuilding.

Photo by Eric Taylor

Keenum just looked awful. Top running back Todd Gurley was held to 47 yards on 17 carries. And to make matters worse, LDT Aaron Donald was ejected from the game in the second half. They punted ten times and only had ten first downs through the game. Converting on third down was their biggest challenge. The Rams couldn’t get close enough to attempt a field goal.

“They did a good job of mixing it up,” said Keenum. “San Francisco did a good job with coverage over the top and mixing it up with the single I. You have to give them a lot of credit. They did a really good job especially on third down with a lot of looks that we haven’t seen before, but it’s not an excuse though. We still have to convert. There were some chances to convert, but it was tough.”

Tavon Austin returned the ball for 28 yards giving LA their best field position of the night. Keenum completed a pass to Austin for a gain of 5 yards. And the Rams were in the red zone. But outstanding defense by the 49ers thwarted any hopes of them scoring. Keenum threw his second interception and it landed in the hands of Ray Ray Armstrong.

Gabbert who struggled with the passing game connected with Quinton Patton for 35 yards to setup Gabbert’s 8-yard touchdown pass to McDonald giving San Francisco a 21-0 lead. The frustration mounted for LA, McDonald got into a tussle with Patton and ripped his helmet off charging him with a personal foul penalty, unsportsmanlike penalty and an ejection from the game.

“I just let my emotions get the best of me,” Donald said. “There’s no excuse. I can’t make mistakes like that and hurt my team. I saw Tre [Trumaine Johnson] being surrounded by some guys and tried to help him by breaking up the situation. But the way I did it, I went over there pushing and I shouldn’t have done that.”

The 49ers didn’t play their best football but faired much better than their opponent. They capped off the fourth with another rushing touchdown by Hyde, this time for 1-yard. Kaepernick even saw some action when he came in for one series under 2 minutes. San Francisco had dealt with so much negativity since last season and wanted to come out strong to shut up their naysayers.

“We started off as the underdogs,” said Bowman. “Nobody expected us to win a game this year, or something crazy. And I say to the guys, it’s not what anyone outside the organization says about us, it’s about what we say about us. If we keep that mindset and understand we’re the ones out there contributing and playing together and understand we are a strong-knit team, we can accomplish anything.”

Kaepernick who kneeled along with teammate Eric Reid, came into the game with 2:33 remaining. He handed off the ball on three snaps before the 49ers punted. But after the game Kaepernick was surrounded by media who wanted his reaction to how players around the league were supporting him. In addition, Kaepernick also addressed Owner Jed York’s $1 million donation in the video below.

“That’s huge,” said Kaepernick. “It was amazing. I had a great conversation with Jed. He went out of his way and reached out to me and I got to talk with him and talk these things through. He wanted to know, ‘How can I help? I see these things as well.’ To have that support from an owner, someone that has that position and also is running an organization like this, that’s huge. It says a lot about what people mean to him and how much he truly cares about them.”

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

3 days ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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Activism

McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

10 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.