Tales from the San Francisco 49ers Sideline [Hardcover]

Roger Craig (Author), Bill Walsh (Foreword), Matt Maiocco (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2004

The San Francisco 49ers shaped the NFL throughout the 1980s with their unique blend of precision, panache, and preparation. Two decades later, NFL teams are still copying the system and the methods that made the 49ers unlike any other organization in professional sports. Running back Roger Craig exemplified the qualities that have produced five Super Bowl titles for the franchise. Craig starred in three of the 49ersÂ’ Super Bowl wins, helping set the tone in practice with his nonpareil work ethic. During his eight seasons with the team he was one of the most productive players in franchise history. Roger CraigÂ’s combination of skills was something never before seen in professional football. In 1985 he became the first player in NFL history to top 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. He used his kneechurning, eyes-wide-open style to earn four trips to the Pro Bowl and score a Super Bowl-record three touchdowns in one game. After finishing his career with the Raiders and Vikings, he signed a contract with the 49ers in 1994 so that he could retire as a member of the organization. To this day he remains a 49ers icon who is as well respected by the current team as he was more than a decade ago when he was charging through opposing defenses. In Tales from the San Francisco 49ers Sideline Roger Craig uses his trademark vision to capture some of the moments that defined the organization during its glory years. Included are stories about all of the men who shaped the direction of the franchise, including such luminaries as Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice, and George Seifert. Fans will relive all the great moments and read some never-before-told stories from a man who kept his eyes open to everything during his fascinating career.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roger Craig enjoyed an 11-year career in the NFL, the first eight of which netted him three Super Bowl championships with the San Francisco 49ers. Born in Davenport, Iowa, he starred at the University of Nebraska and was a second-round draft pick of the 49ers in 1983. He still lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and works as the director of business development for TIBCO Software. Craig and his wife have three daughters and two sons. His first book, Strictly Business, was released in 1992.

Matt Maiocco is a sportswriter who has reported on the 49ers for a decade. He covers the 49ers and the NFL for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. He completed his degree in journalism at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, and has covered five Super Bowls during his career. Born in Corning, California, Maiocco lives in Oakland with his wife and their daughter. This is his first book.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Sports Publishing LLC (June 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582613079
• ISBN-13: 978-1582613079
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,269,345 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The good ol' days, August 16, 2004

By 

Ted W. (San Rafael, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales from the San Francisco 49ers Sideline (Hardcover)

Finally there's a book that captures the spirit of those great SF 49ers teams. As a lifelong fan of the 49ers (yes, I saw them play in Kezar), this book will help me get through what might be a rough season. I loved Roger Craig as a player and I find him to be an excellent storyteller.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable cruise through the 49ers' glory days!, January 20, 2005

By 

Jasbir Singh "electricporcupine" (Vallejo, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales from the San Francisco 49ers Sideline (Hardcover)

Honestly, if everyone reading this review was a San Francisco football fan, I would have given the book five stars. But I have to be fair!

This book is a very easy read, and you cannot help but admire Roger Craig to the nth degree. You can really tell what kind of a football warrior this guy was by reading how he trained, and how he played with pain. Reading some of his anecdotes about the glory years put a smile on my face, and would do the same for any Niner fan.

The only criticism I have regarding this book is the lack of depth (people who like light and easy reads would probably not agree with my assessment here). I already knew many of the stories Craig wrote about, and the ones I didn't know about were not explained in great detail.

The best part of the book was Craig describing the deterioration of his and Eddie DeBartolo's relationship following Craig's fumble in the 1990 NFC Championship game against the New York Giants. One thing Craig fails to mention was his decline in productivity over his last year with S.F. being the chief reason he was let go via Plan B Free Agency.

Craig's positive outlook on life beams off the pages of "Tales from the San Francisco 49ers Sideline". If I had ever played in the NFL, I would want the dedication, toughness, and skill of Roger Craig by my side.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CRAIG SHARES HIS THOUGHTS.., December 29, 2004

By 

Jason Perdue "Ninerfreak" (Mars) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tales from the San Francisco 49ers Sideline (Hardcover)

This was a good,quick read and it allowed Niner fans like myself to relive the glory days through the thoughts and history left behind by Roger Craig. The most compelling part of this book are his updates on what has happened to many ex-players since his playing days. Craig also displays his knowledge of 49er history,commenting in fair length on players from long,long ago such as Joe Perry and Bob St. Claire,showing that Roger himself is a fan of his own former team. I found this to be intriguing.
There was only one factual mistake that i found (he states ex-Bear William Perry was running in Td's in 1984;actually that was '85...Perry wasn't in the league in '84) but of course thats no big deal. There was a typo (Harris Burton rather than the correct Harris Barton). The book certainly doesn't drag on as i finished it in one day. I'm glad he put it out there.