The 49ers - Kyle, David, and Alex

My beloved San Francisco 49ers, much like my beloved San Francisco Giants have reached the pinnacle of their sport yet again.  For the Niners, this is their 6th trip to the Super Bowl, and the first in quite a long time.  Many fans today weren't born when the Niners were great in the 80s and 90s, much less terrible in mid-70's when  I was a kid.

The time has me reflective of people, not so much of another trophy or winning or celebrations, but of people.  People like Kyle Williams, David Akers, and Alex Smith.  Sure, most fans would think of Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Justin Smith, and Patrick Willis ... the current STARs of the team, and I do too, and have much love and respect for all of them.  But it's Kyle, David, and Alex that I think about at this moment.

For Kyle Williams, the guy who everyone blamed for last year's NFC Championship loss, "We're one Kyle Williams fumble away from a Super Bowl Title" ... I posted my prayers on Facebook the day after it happened, prayed for Kyle to be strong and to make it through.  And he came back strong this year, played well, but got injured and is now watching from the sidelines while the team is moving forward.

For David Akers, a guy who was a Pro-Bowl Kicker last year, and has gone through so much personal trauma, injury, and the like ... for whatever reason, the guy is struggling this year, and once again the point of a lot of blame.  "We're one David Akers kick from beating the Rams".  And to top it off, crazy people, like they did for Kyle Williams, lobbed death threats at the poor guy throughout the season, when he missed a kick.  My prayers also to David Akers, that he have a great Super Bowl, be the hero we know he can be and win a title for the Niners.  And if not, it's okay, he's our guy ... through thick and thin ... at least for this year, in the competitive football world.

For Alex Smith, I have to say I've never met a person with more heart, with more courage.  Like Jesus said about the Centurion that asked to heal his servant from afar, Alex is much like that to me.  Given all that he's gone through, given all the tough times ... including now, when his place was taken away (and rightfully so in the brutal football world) ... he conducts himself with class, the consummate teammate.  People wonder why the 49ers are such a "good team" ... it's because of leaders like Alex Smith, and how he handles himself.

I'm sure there are plenty of other folks involved that deserve some mention, but those are who I think of at this moment.  And you know what?  Whatever happens in this Super Bowl is really irrelevant.  Whoever wins is really irrelevant.  Sure, we always want to win, we always complain about losing.  But, in the end ... no matter how many games or titles you win or lose, it's really how you live your life that matters.  And for me, guys like Kyle, David, and Alex ... who have fought through adversity with class and dignity are foremost on my mind.

Good luck Niners and all of the Niner Fans!  Have a great Super Bowl!  :)