And then Montana and Clark, Ronnie Lott and Bill Walsh, made everyone feel proud. San Francisco was a sad place then, still recovering from a double murder at City Hall, the Jonestown mass murders, the faded promise of the counterculture movements of a decade earlier. The 49ers not only won a Super Bowl, they reshaped a culture. The reward for the years of suffering, for the long stretches of mediocrity interrupted by a rare moment of postseason play, but more frequently by periods of ineptitude, arrived on Jan. Fans who were there before Dwight Clark soared into the air and came down with a dynasty in his hands. Tittle and then John Brodie, who suffered through Joe Thomas and seemingly endless playoff losses to Dallas. It was an alliterative badge of honor among the fans whose roots dated to Kezar Stadium, who cheered for Y.A. The bandwagon filled with newly minted Joe Montana fans, and that was when the term “49er Faithful” was born. Their team was the original professional sports franchise in the Bay Area, beginning play in 1946, meaning the team’s relationship with fans carries historic weight and deep roots. It has always been that way for 49ers fans, for 75 seasons. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Show More Show LessĮvery fan base is certain that it is unique, a select entity with its own culture and rituals and special qualities. Zebowski / AP Show More Show Less 3 of3 Fans cheer in the stands during a NFC Divisional Playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings held at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Jubilant 49ers fans celebrate in the Mission District after their team defeated the Miami Dolphins 38-16 in Super Bowl XIX at Stanford Stadium on Jan. Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of3 The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers 37-20. 1 of3 Fan Mark Castanon gets emotional during the final moments of the NFC Championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers at Levi�s Stadium on Sunday, Jan.
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