Garoppolo hops on Sharks’ bandwagon
SAN JOSE (TNS) – 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo hasn’t been in the Bay Area for long but is already on board with the Sharks’ playoff run.
Prior to the start of Monday’s playoff game at SAP Center between the Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights. Garoppolo became the latest local celebrity figure – and the latest member of the 49ers – to open the door to San Jose’s locker room.
Wearing a teal Sharks jersey instead of usual 49ers colors of scarlet and gold, Garoppolo, a native of Arlington Heights, Illinois, roughly 30 miles northwest of Chicago, shouted into the in-house camera and emphatically threw down a towel before he opened the door.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan opened the door to the Sharks’ locker room prior to the start of Game 4 of their opening round series against the Anaheim Ducks on April 18. Shanahan said to the in-house camera, “The series ends tonight!!” It did, with the Sharks winning that night to finish off a four-game sweep of the Ducks.
Oakland native and former world champion boxer and Andre Ward opened the door to the Sharks’ locker room prior to Game 3 of that series.
The tradition of a local celebrity opening the door to the Sharks’ locker room started with the 2016 playoffs, with such figures as Jerry Rice and Rickey Henderson previously doing the honors.
The Golden Knights lead the series 2-1 heading into tonight’s Game 4 in San Jose. Garoppolo makes top 100 list
Garoppolo’s career has escalated quickly ever since the New England Patriots traded him to the San Francisco 49ers.
After just five starts with his new team, Garoppolo (temporarily) became the highest-paid player in NFL history and has been annointed the franchise’s quarterback of the future.
Now, he’s even starting to earn some accolades. This week, NFL Network included Garoppolo in their NFL “Top 100 players of 2018” ranking. Garoppolo made this list at No. 90, beating out players such as QB Kirk Cousins, WR Doug Baldwin and All-pro tackle Lane Johnson.
Here’s Nfl.com’s description for Garppolo’s inclusion:
“American hasn’t seen a pretty face with a tuft of jetblack hair take the nation by storm like this since Elvis Presley. Jimmy G inspired hope in the hopeless in the Bay Area, going undefeated as a starter in his half-season with the 49ers. The ride has been so wild, it’s landed him ahead of a guy who just signed a fully guaranteed contract at the same position. The Garoppolo mania is only just beginning. Will he ever lose? Yes, he will. But it’s pretty safe to assume he’ll be in this group of 100 for years to come.”