Fans take to S.F. streets — even in defeat
Fans of the 49ers poured into the streets of San Francisco Sunday after the team’s heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. People wrapped in redand-gold 49ers flags twirled to rowdy music. Fireworks exploded overhead.
The revelry was a fierce yet brief burst of catharsis after a thrilling season. San Francisco will have to wait another year.
“We really, really, really wanted this,” Mayor London Breed said, standing outside the Hi Tops sports bar on Market Street in the Castro district.
Across the city Sunday, 49ers fans packed living rooms, cafes and bars. They sat elbow to elbow. At times the 49ers seemed to have a clear shot at the title.
But like any game, it’s hard to call until the end.
“Next year, guys, next year!” a group of pedestrians called out to a passing car in the Castro, where Breed had watched the game while hopping from bar to bar.
“The Niners played a great game. I’m really proud of them,” Breed said.
Alphonso Lugo, Andres Ramirez and Braden Boss crossed Castro Street after the game and headed to work at the Badlands nightclub, where Boss said they anticipated “a lot of drunk, sad people.”
“It really felt like we had it,” he said. Ramirez, sporting Nick
Bosa’s number 97 jersey, said he hoped the team would be back in the Super Bowl again next year. The season hadn’t been a total loss, he said.
“At the end of the day, the players are all hot,” he said. His friends giddily agreed.
Over in the Mission District, a crowd of about 40 fans danced to E-40 hits, including 2006’s “Tell Me When to Go,” on 24th Street near Harrison Street. Farther down Harrison at Treat Avenue, about 50 more celebrants mingled in the street.
Police kept watch, riot helmets clipped onto their hips.
It was an incredibly tense game. Fans needed to shake it off.
Several blocks away on Bryant Street near 19th Street, about 150 fans had taken over the block. They had watched the game on a large TV set up outside Leroy Bermudez’s home, known as the Faithful House: a two-story building painted red and gold. They grilled hot dogs, chicken and carne asada in the street while children jumped around in a bounce house on the sidewalk.
Eva Perez danced in the street. Wearing a Nick Bosa jersey from the 2020 Super Bowl, she said she was proud of how the 49ers represented San Francisco.
“We lost, but Niners till I die,” Perez said.
At the end of the night, Bermudez said, he had wanted the fans to come together. He believed they had done just that and tried to console dejected fans around him.
“Just keep moving forward. Just remain faithful,” he said to 49ers fans.
Reach David Hernandez: david.hernandez @sfchronicle.com. Reach Nora Mishanec: nora.mishanec @sfchronicle.com. Reach Julie Johnson: julie.johnson @sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @juliejohnson