One thing that I find troubling about our society is the general lack of patience and need for immediate gratification at all times. Not surprisingly, this troubling tendency has been reflected in sports.
A headline that I came across recently reminded me of this (see link below). It was from the San Francisco Chronicle, and was in reference to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Sure, I realize that newspapers have to sell, and they often need flashy headlines in order to try to do so. That seems especially true these days, when our society lacks patience, and perhaps, frankly maturity. But it felt like this headline was a cheap shot, and bordered on being trashy.
Now, don't get me wrong: I understand that Garoppolo is not exactly the heir apparent to Tom Brady that some believed he would be while he was backing Brady up in New England. In San Francisco, he has not been the second coming of Joe Montana or Steve Young. Statistically, there are plenty of other quarterbacks who put up more impressive numbers on a regular basis.
However, Garoppolo sure seems to know how to win. When he is healthy - and I understand that health concerns are one of the main criticisms that people have about him - he is pretty damn good. In 2019, with Jimmy G at the helm, San Francisco raced off to an 8-0 start, the second most impressive unbeaten start in the entire history of the 49ers. The team finished with a 13-3 record, good enough to earn the top seed in the NFC playoffs. They defeated the Vikings in the divisional round, then pummeled Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the NFC title game. They even seemed to be dominating the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, before Kansas City really turned it on in the final few minutes and wound up winning the game, and the championship.
Then this season, Jimmy G led the 49ers back into the playoffs and, once there, helped lead them to a deep playoff run, yet again. They surprised the Cowboys in Dallas, and once again, humbled Aaron Rodgers and the top seeded Packers in the "Frozen Tundra" at Lambeau Field, which is not easy to do. They were playing well against the Rams in the NFC title game, but ultimately lost. But they were very close to reaching a second Super Bowl in three years, which is an impressive accomplishment by any measure. Had they qualified, they would have met the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that they had defeated earlier in the season.
In other words, Jimmy G gave the 49ers two good opportunities at championships. Now, I realize that he did not actually win the Super Bowl either in 2019 or this past season, but the 49ers were in the race until late both times, reaching the "Final Four" of football twice in the past three seasons. He was the starting quarterback for the team in six postseason games, and they won four of them. Again, maybe he did not exactly resemble Brady or Montana in those games, but he gave his team the best chance of winning, which they almost did in the two games that he lost.
Yet, judging by this headline, the feeling that is expressed - and apparently shared by many in the Bay area - is that Jimmy G cannot leave town fast enough. This feels like serious ingratitude. As a Giants fan, it reminded me a bit of the far too short memory people had when they seemed to tire of Eli Manning, who not only won two Super Bowls for the G-Men, but won the Super Bowl MVP honors both times, to boot.
Now, I don't know where Jimmy G will be heading after this. Nor do I know if he will be anywhere near as successful wherever he goes next. This was not exactly a secret, because it was basically well known that unless he produced a championship this season, Jimmy G was likely on his way out of San Francisco. But the lack of gratitude here seems to me a bit much. I am not a fan of the 49ers, but think I would be more appreciative if a fan of a team that accomplished what the Niners accomplished during Jimmy G's tenure. He deserves better than headlines basically mocking him, and suggesting that he cannot leave town fast enough.
San Francisco had one of four teams to make it to the Championship Game round, and they are one of only three franchises in the league that reached that deep into the playoffs twice in the past three seasons. They have been one of the top five franchises overall for the past three seasons, in terms of accomplishments, and he was a big part of that. You really would think that fans of such a team would be more appreciative, even if they are fans of such a storied franchise. Perhaps especially if they are fans of such a storied franchise. Maybe the Niners will win out and not only stay competitive, but go further than they have in recent seasons. But that is definitely not a given. And if it does not work out for the better, they might regret mocking the quarterback who helped to get them as far as they did get in recent seasons.
Go, Jimmy G, go! As soon as possible away from the 49ers, please by Scott Ostler, March 2, 2022:
Jimmy Garoppolo just underwent what 49ers general manager John Lynch called “minor surgery” on his passing shoulder.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/ostler/article/Go-Jimmy-G-go-As-soon-as-possible-away-from-16972612.php
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