Rookie thrills self, family with TD
PHILADELPHIA — At least one person on the 49ers had a memorable Sunday.
Rookie running back Matt Breida, an undrafted free agent from Georgia Southern, scored his first NFL touchdown. And he did it in a place that is part of his roots, in front of more than two dozen enthusiastic family members.
“It was a great experience to play in this stadium,” Breida said. “I grew up watching some great players play in Philadelphia.”
Breida was born in Florida and adopted by Terri and Mike Breida, who had relocated from Philadelphia for health reasons.
“My parents and my brother are the only ones in Florida,” Breida said. “Everyone else lives up here, all my uncles and aunts.”
Breida estimated that he had about 30 people in the stands.
They were rewarded in the third quarter. After an interception by Ahkello Witherspoon, the 49ers finally had decent field position on the Philadelphia 21-yard line. With the Eagles blitzing, C.J. Beathard flipped a shovel pass to Breida, who darted for a touchdown.
“We didn’t get that look in practice, so we weren’t expecting it,” Beathard said. “It was either going to be a great play or a really bad play. It happened to be a great play.”
Breida said the team had run the same play earlier in the season.
“I ended up dropping the ball,” he said. “This one was executed perfectly. The receivers blocked well down the field, the O-line did a great job and the quarterback did a great job of pitching the ball.”
It was the first sign of life the 49ers’ offense had exhibited. But it was quickly extinguished, as the Eagles scored on a 53yard pass three plays later.
Breida had not been to Lincoln Financial Field before. But, growing up, Sundays were reserved for Eagles games. His favorite player was Brian Westbrook, also an undersized, fleet-footed running back.
Against his childhood team, Breida channeled his inner Westbrook.
“It was a great experience to score my first NFL touchdown,” Breida said. “Hopefully, there will be many more to come.”