MVN: Most Valuable Network

The feel of game week is in the air. Tomorrow, the Raiders kick off their first preseason game against the hated San Francisco 49ers. This is a match-up for the rival fan bases, so Rob and I linked up with a 49ers fan who knows a thing or two about football for a question and answer exchange. Samuel Lam of MVN's Mining the Gold Rush was brave enough to step over to the Dark Side and work with Rob and I on this project. We answered some of his questions for his site and he was kind enough to answer ours.

TFDS: Why and how? Why on earth would you choose the red and gold over the silver and black? Did your mother do something to you at a young age to make you decide to be a 49er fan? Help us all to explain your serious character flaw.

Samuel Lam: Growing up in the Bay Area, more specifically the East Bay, naturally you'd think I'd be a Raiders fan. But during the early `90s, I was just a little kid learning different sports. I was just learning the rules of basketball, baseball and football. The Warriors were the only NBA team, so I followed them. My first baseball game was in Oakland, so the A's were my favorite team. But then came football. The only NFL team in the Bay Area at that time was the 49ers. The Raiders were in Los Angeles and it was not easy for me to follow them. And add to the fact that the 49ers had guys like Jerry Rice and Steve Young, it was easier for me to follow them as a kid. So you can say that I "bandwagoned" the 49ers since they were so good. But ultimately, it was because they were the only team in the Bay. IF the Raiders had remained in Oakland, it might be different?

TFDS: For you, how would you describe being a Niner fan walking into Candlestick Park for a game? Do you think that the Niners will be moving to Santa Clara and become the Great America Niners?

Samuel Lam: One of the best things about being a 49ers fan, or a football fan in general, is that the fans of the team are always great. Going to the Stick with fellow 49ers fans gives me a sense of joy, knowing that these fans share the same passion as I do. Just going up the escalator and entering the stadium is wonderful. Very few places in the world I can call sanctuary, and the Stick is one of them.

I have loathed the idea of the 49ers moving to Santa Clara. Even though right now I live in San Jose, I don't want the 49ers to move to Santa Clara. The 49ers built a history in San Francisco and it should remain there. I actually wrote something on that last year right here.

TFDS: How old were you when you saw your first Niner game on TV? In person?

Samuel Lam: My first game I saw as a kid was probably that NFC Championship game against the Cowboys where Steve Young finally made it to the Superbowl. At that time, I was only 8 years old, so I was a young lad. I vaguely remember much from that game, but I just recall that my dad made a big deal out of it. I think ever since then, I've caught pretty much every 49ers game on TV since.

My first 49ers game in person came on a Monday Night against the Lions in 1996. Barry Sanders ran crazy all over the field, but the experience to be at the Stick (especially on a Monday Night) was exciting. It was muddy since it rained earlier in the week, but just being so close to the action (right behind the goalpost) and just seeing my heroes live, that was just amazing.

TFDS: Which Niner best exemplifies what a 49er is all about? Why?

Samuel Lam: I don't think a player exemplifies the Niners. I actually think Bill Walsh does that. Without him, there isn't that identity of confidence in a team of nobodies in 1981. Walsh was so confident in his scheme of things that he made the rest of the team believe it. Sure enough, the years of success that followed would be wonderful. The 49ers at the time were so smooth and fluid in offense and nasty aggressive on defense. Both were characteristics of the coach. This was the identity that the 49ers gave themselves after years of losing. It's the identity the team continues to try to maintain for all these years.

TFDS: Who is your all time favorite 49er?

Samuel Lam: I will always forever be a Steve Young fan, and you can thank my dad for that. My dad moved to America (from Hong Kong) in 1981 and was blessed with a 49ers Superbowl win right off the bat. So naturally, he became a Joe Montana fan. When I started to watch football, Steve Young was taking all the snaps under center. My dad hated Young. He would try to convince me that Young was garbage and that Young needed to leave, that all the MVPs and passing titles meant nothing. Like many fans from the `80s, that's how they viewed Steve. But I liked Steve because HE was MY first quarterback. Since then I have followed his career until his retirement. I think I liked him first because I felt bad for him. But I started to love him more because he was just that amazing.

TFDS: How many current and former 49er players have you met, including handshakes and autograph getting? Which one was the nicest? Which one was not so great to meet?

Samuel Lam: Honestly, I have only met a small handful of 49ers. Since I am still a young guy, I have been swamped with school and family affairs, which makes it hard for me to get to the stadium on Sundays. (I have better stories with Oakland A's players). The first 49er I had ever met was Ken Norton at Fry's for an autograph session. I got a soda holder any a 49ers football signed by him. Even took a picture with him. He was just a great guy, smiled and was just nice to all the fans. I also got a chance to do an interview with Dwight Clark. But I think the funniest moment was when I met former 49er and Raider Dana Stubblefield. I was at Target in San Jose doing some shopping when I saw a familiar face near the DVD section. "That guy looks like Dana Stubblefield," I said to myself. I approached him all star-struck. I didn't think I mumbled out something coherent, but I just thanked him for being so great with the Niners. He smiled, but I think he didn't want to be bothered since he was with his family. I understood and shook his hand and walked the other way. Just so cool to see an athlete doing normal stuff.

TFDS: We all know about ‘The Catch,’ it makes me want to hurl thinking about it all over again.

Besides that play, is there another one that you feel exemplifies the great run the Niners had in the 80’s and 90’s?

Samuel Lam: It's easy for me to go with the drive in Superbowl XXIII or The Catch II. But I will go with John Taylor's two 90+ yard TD catches against the Los Angeles Rams. I can't pinpoint the year it happened, but at that time, the 49ers were expected to be a good team. And those two scores really showed not only the talent in the "non-stars" but it showed that winning for the 49ers can come in many different ways. Those two scores crushed the Rams' spirits and elevated the spirits of 49ers.

TFDS: So besides wine and cheese, what is your favorite food? What’s your favorite cheese?

Samuel Lam: I love Italian cooking, so any kind of Italian pasta wins my stomach. Favorite kind of cheese? I think cheese is one of the greatest things ever! Lately, I have been digging much of the Pepperjack cheese in my burgers.

TFDS: 49er Empire and 49er Faithful are names used to describe the fan base of the Red and Gold, will you admit once and for all that they were created to copy/compete with the Raider Nation just as the term ‘Red and Gold’ is an attempt to compete with the Silver and Black? Which do you call yourself? Empire(ee) or Faithful? Admit it, it’s not as cool as Nation though is it? Ha, don’t worry about answering that last one.

Samuel Lam: Hahaha. I don't think we are copying you guys. In fact, I don't think I have actually ever heard the Niners referred to as a Nation like the Raiders do. I know from time to time the 49ers fans can be called a nation, but I think Faithful is what we are. Faithful is simple for us, and it rolls nicely off your tongue when said. You can be your Raider Nation. We're the 49er Faithful.

TFDS: Who’s going to start at QB for the Niners this season? How will he do? How will the Niners do? Are you going to be really sad when they lose to the Raiders in preseason?

Samuel Lam: I hope Shaun Hill gets the job. As much as I want any kind of success from any quarterback, I have more faith in Hill at this point. But with Mike Martz's system, I think Hill is more equipped for it. If Hill can get the Niners to 8-8, I'll be content. I won't have too much high expectations for the Niners, but I'll be very optimistic. And the Niners will win against the Raiders. I tell you this now, the Niners are winning that game.

[youtube]W_h9nczNmfw[/youtube] We hate the 49ers, but we like Sam.

Thanks to Sam for coming over to the Dark Side and being such a good sport.

Just having some friendly smack with a rival writer here at TFDS!