49er Photo-Ball

by Alex Napier
Stringer, Los Altos, California

Jeff Bayer lives and breathes 49er football. Every molecule of his body radiates 49er enthusiasm. Even his phone number ends 49-49. Further, he's never missed a home game in 29 years! Not just a fan, Jeff has worked with the 49ers as an on-the-field photographer for over 25 years.

This 49er photographer has always loved sports. Growing up in Chicago, Illinois, sports got kicked off at Wrigley Field where he would see both football and baseball games. At the age of 10, Jeff and his family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. Ordinarily a traumatic move for a child, Jeff was happy, as this meant he could watch Willie Mays play ball. Arguably one of the best center fielders or players ever in baseball history, Jeff treasures a photo of himself with Mays taken when he was thirteen years old.

Bayer played high school football, and earned himself the nickname of Rhino, primarily because he played Nose Tackle and he was thought to be tough skinned. While it wasn't 'in the cards' to play pro-ball, Bayer was excited about a job offer that would place him very near the game. A neighbor of his was an Executive with the 49er Franchise. The position, a game day assistant for the Public Relations Department, was just a temporary one which required Jeff to deliver the lineup and game time decisions to the Announcer's Box.

A quick and eager learner, Jeff got an invaluable lesson from John Madden, who at the time was the Coach of the Oakland Raiders. Jeff asked Madden offhandedly, "Why did you play it so close to the vest in the first half?" Coach Madden looked at Jeff as an all pro quarterback looks at a rookie