A Memorable Sports Moment

I have been playing fantasy football since 2007. I have been a league commissioner many times but have never won a league title. I had finished 2nd many times but the 1st place trophy had always been elusive. Until the 2013 season.

I was commissioner of a league that has independent defensive players. My best defensive player all season long was NaVorro Bowman. The 49ers linebacker was a consistent playmaker and point producer and I was glad to have him.

My team included such stars as Cam Newton, LeSean McCoy and AJ Green and I made it all the way to the championship game. After Sunday's games I was in the lead but my opponent had Colin Kaepernick, Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis, all playing Monday night in the Falcons vs. 49ers finale. I was nervous as the only player I had remaining was NaVorro Bowman.

Right before kickoff I told my friends that I needed Bowman to have a 90-yard pick 6 if I was going to win the championship. I repeated that I needed it to be 90 yards - 20 or 30 yards wouldn't be enough. (A player gets 1 point for every 10 yards they return an interception or fumble.) Throughout the game there were several moments where my friends said, "A pick 6 here would work for you."

As the game neared the end, the intensity picked up. The 49ers led 27-24 with 90 seconds remaining but the Falcons had driven down to the 49ers' 10-yard line with the intent of taking the lead and winning the game.

Matt Ryan attempted a pass to Roddy White just inside the 10. Tremaine Brock broke up the pass and the ball flew wildly through the air and NaVorro Bowman caught it at the 11-yard line. We held our collective breaths for what felt like an eternity and then as Bowman passed the 40-yard line we screamed with joy. I am jumping up and down with excitement.

After he crossed the goal line I looked at my fantasy team (which had been losing by 15 points) and see I am 0.10 points behind. The return was 89 yards and I needed 90 but I am still very happy with how the game was ending. The Pick at the Stick was a great way to end the storied history of Candlestick Park. I am content to accept the fact that I lost my fantasy championship, again!

As I start to enjoy the 49ers victory I realize there is still a little over a minute left in the game. The Falcons are trying their best to score before time expires and NaVorro Bowman is still fired up and makes 2 tackles in the waning seconds. As each tackle is a point, I am now winning by 1.9 points and it all came down to the Pick at the Stick. I won! Do you believe in miracles?

As I write this I am reliving all the emotions I felt as it happened. The stadium where I watched 49ers games all my entire life has given me many heroes and this was the last game to be played there. Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Ronnie Lott, Terrell Owens (yes, he was a hero for a time), Roger Craig and Frank Gore, just to name a few. I now have added one more hero for me, NaVorro Bowman. I will remember that day for the rest of my life. Candlestick Park had given me one last gift - a fantasy championship!

Daniel James Geary
Passionate 49ers fan

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