The 2009 49ers Draft Day Party

Draft Day.  A football team’s fortunes may be determined in the few minutes it takes to draft a Peyton Manning or a Ryan Leaf.  For the hardcore football fan, it is one of the most anticipated days of the year.

This past Saturday, I made the long trek to the bay area to experience the 49ers Draft Day Party.  Thousands of 49er fans packed the Santa Clara Convention Center to partake of the festivities and to eagerly await their team’s draft pick.  Fans booed and cheered as the picks were announced, proving that this crowd was as knowledgeable and passionate as those hardcore fans in attendance in New York.  A huge roar erupted when the Raiders, with the seventh pick, dubiously selected Darrius Heyward-Bey, the wide receiver from Maryland whom many considered to be a late first round pick.  Derisive laughter soon followed because that meant with the tenth pick overall, the 49ers were able to select the consensus top wide receiver in the draft, Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech.  Score one for the niners.

Soon after the pick, Head Coach Mike Singletary made an appearance and briefly addressed the crowd.  Now, I was never a Chicago Bear fan, but I became a fan of Mike Singletary after his famous “cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them” rant against Vernon Davis’ uninspired play last year.  Go get ‘em coach.

And the best part of the 49ers Draft Day Party…the Gold Rush cheerleaders.

The Gold Rush were on hand to meet and greet all the fans who came out to support the 49ers.  They graciously signed autographs and posed for photos throughout the day.

Okay, let’s give some recognition to the Gold Rush and start off the roll call with Meridith and Lauren D.