ONE LAST HURRAH
Recently retired tackle Staley gives, gets praise during 49ers’ state-of-franchise event
A year ago, the 49ers’ stateof-the-franchise event came with a surprise: CEO Jed York announced a two-year extension for left tackle Joe Staley through 2021.
But two months ago, Staley retired, citing health concerns after 13 top-notch seasons.
As part of this week’s stateof-the-franchise virtual series, York and Staley got together to rehash memories and set the stage for his post-career future.
Here are five topics they covered:
1. TIMELY EXIT >> York said Staley’s final act depicted what an unselfish leader he was for the 49ers. Staley informed the 49ers of his retirement decision days prior to the draft but kept it otherwise secret.
“Like an awesome teammate, he didn’t make the announcement before the draft,” York said. “He allowed us to go into the draft with people not knowing that, and it helped us make a trade (for Trent Williams).
“It shows what an ultimate teammate Joe is, putting the team first. … He’s going to always be a part of this team in one form or another.”
2. KEEPING BUSY >> Like his former teammates, Staley is staying in shape away from the facility, though they’ve had to do so because of Santa Clara County’s COVID-19 protocol.
“I’m doing home workouts, too, so in my mental state, it hasn’t hit me I’m not getting ready for football,” Staley said.
Staley looked noticeably slimmer when he golfed Pebble Beach on June 14 with right tackle Mike McGlinchey.
“I figured before I moved out of the Bay Area for good, I had to golf there for the first time,” said Staley, noting that McGlinchey is an excellent golfer but tends to overanalyze his shots, which is also a football habit Staley tried to break him from as his 49ers mentor.
3. NEXT MAN UP >> Staley continued to praise his successor at left tackle, Trent Williams, who Washington traded to the
49ers during the draft and before Staley’s retirement went public.
“Trent is someone I’ve watched my entire career,” Staley said. “His athleticism is unparalleled in the NFL as far as left tackles. What he can do out in space and point of attack, he’s really perfect for Kyle’s scheme.
“It was really important for me to keep the 49ers in a position where they weren’t screwed over by my retirement and create a big void on the offensive line, and also from a leadership standpoint. To pivot from me to Trent Williams, I don’t think you can do it much better.”
4. PICTURE PERFECT >> The 49ers presented Staley with a custom illustration by sending it to his house and having him open it on the virtual session with York.
Staley beamed upon opening it, just as the York family has with a different picture that Jed spotted at the family’s Ohio home, a picture of Staley standing alongside and protecting matriarch Denise DeBartolo York.
“He knew the stage he was on and treated everybody with respect and dignity, and whether it was an adult or little kid, he made them feel so comfortable and so at home,” Jed York said.
5. CLOSING LINE >> This wasn’t Staley’s first public appearance for the team as a retired 49er. He gave a fabulous commencement speech in a virtual graduation ceremony earlier this month, and he doesn’t plan on vanishing.
“I’m not going to be a stranger,” Staley said. “As much as Jed allows the doors to be open for me, I will be there.”
York’s response: “We may have to keep you on reserve as a tight end. We may need like a COVID-relief person.”
Staley: “We’ll see what’s going to happen. It’ll be very interesting. But I get to watch as a fan. So it’ll be fun.”