Receiver Alyn Beals, a graduate of San Francisco’s Poly High School, completed ROTC at Santa Clara University, became an Army Field Artillery Battery Commander, and saw action at the Battle of the Bulge and Remagen Bridge. According to Spadia, the discipline and maturity brought on by their military service were essential ingredients in the club’s early success.Īmong the returning WWII veterans who played for the 49ers were: Virtually every player on the original 33-man roster had military experience.
Organizing a pro football team may have been chaotic behind the scenes, but on the field Coach Buck Shaw assembled a stellar lineup. I bought 40 of them and they became our equipment bags.” “At a surplus store out on Market Street, they were selling Marine Corps duffel bags for $1 each. “We had all these uniforms and equipment and no way to transport them,” Spadia said. Spadia eventually became team president, general manager and part owner of the club, but before the 49ers first game, an exhibition against the Los Angeles Dons in San Diego, he assumed the role of equipment manager and turned to the U.S. “When I realized I was an executive and could hire someone else, I brought in Helen Dill, who had been a Navy WAVE, to help with the typing.” “I think I got the job because I could type and take shorthand,” Spadia said in an interview shortly before he passed away in 2013. Blackinger was named general manager of the 49ers, then hired Spadia who served alongside him in the Navy. The first 49ers employee hired by team owner Tony Morabito was John Blackinger, a college buddy from Santa Clara who was returning from U.S.
From team administrators like Lou Spadia, to quarterback Frankie Albert, to running back Len Eshmont, nearly all contributed to the war effort before entering the pro football world. The Battle of the Bulge, Iwo Jima, Remagen Bridge, Saipan and many other legendary World War II encounters included at least one future 49ers player.
Military veterans returning from World War II supplied the backbone of the 49ers original 1946 team. 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship.About the 49ers Museum presented by Foxconn Industrial Internet.THANKS FOR GETTING VACCINATED AT LEVIS® STADIUM