Former 49ers Owner Calls NFC Title Win 'A Warmup' For Super Bowl
ATLANTA (CBS SF) -- Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. hasn't owned the San Francisco 49ers for nearly 13 years, but that certainly doesn't mean he's not a fan of the franchise.
The team is now returning to the Super Bowl for the first time since he was owner - and DeBartolo got to present the NFC Championship trophy Sunday to his sister and current owner, Denise York, on national television Sunday after the 49ers rallied for a 28-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
"This is a warm-up game" for the Super Bowl, Debortolo said from along the sidelines in Atlanta; he was at the game serving as one of the 49ers' honorary team captains.
DeBartolo, known as "Mr. D" to 49er fans, is widely regarded as one of the most successful owners in the history of professional sports. In his 23 years at the helm, San Francisco became the first franchise in NFL history to win five Super Bowl Championships (1981, '84, '88, '89 and '94).
And now, it seems Debortolo sees this current 49er team's "Quest for Six" as inevitably successful: "They're just too good," he contends.
His sister couldn't agree more.
"We've come full circle," said York, "and the dynasty will prevail."
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