He was only 7-years-old when Bill Mifsud Sr. first saw the red of the San Francisco 49ers take the field. It was so long ago, the helmets weren’t gold, instead they were made of leather.
The glory days of the 49ers were nearly 40 years away, but Mifsud still remembers his first visit to Kezar Stadium in 1946 to watch his beloved 49ers.
“I used to go with my older brother,” Mifsud said. “I saw them go from nothings to world champions.”
Mifsud, who attended the 49ers’ first Super Bowl and the ’81 NFC championship game, passed his love of 49ers to his entire family. For the first time since 2002, Mifsud’s family will watch 49ers’ playoff football Saturday.
The elder Mifsud won’t be able to attend the playoff game, he is recovering from open-heart surgery, but through his son Bill Mifsud, who owns Bill’s Bullpen, his family will have a presence at a 49ers’ game. They’ve had that presence since 1946.
“Unfortunately, I can’t go, but I’ll be there in spirit,” he said.
He’ll watch the game from the comfort of his own home, but his junior will wake up bright and early to get to Candlestick Park.
“I’m leaving at 6:30 (a.m.),” he said. “It’s not like the tailgates three years ago. You used to go for the tailgate, now the tailgate is the after effect. We are there for the game. Can we win? Sure we can.”
For the younger Mifsud, Saturday is almost like a childhood Christmas.
“We’ve been talking about it for two weeks now,” he said. “Between all the break downs and TV shows and customers coming in, I’m like a bartender.”
With the 49ers back in the playoffs, after a nine-year absence, Mifsud is flooded with childhood memories.
“It’s a youthful exuberance,” he said. “It’s been such a long time now. We haven’t had the playoff years for a while now. We’ve had a lot of lean years. When you had the high – we’ve been at the top of the mountain. When you haven’t been there for nine years you realize how hard it is to get there. I’m excited like never before, but I’m excited because it was so unexpected.”
But don’t compare the new-age 49ers with the classic ’81 Niners.
“Not at all,” the older Mifsud said. “This team isn’t as talented. In the way of style of play or quality, this team isn’t the same. It’s sad to say that but it’s true.”
He continued, “They are good right now. They are tough. Back in ’81, they were tough and talented.”
Even if they aren’t as talented at their ’80s counterpart, the Mifsud’s don’t think the Niners will have any issues with the potent Saints.
“No worried about the Saints. I’m more worried about the next team,” Mifsud Sr. said. “I’m fully confident they will handle the Saints. They can have their gumbo and crawfish.”
Bill Mifsud Sr. is a former writer for the Hollister Free Lance.
