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Ronnie Lott Receives 49ers HOF Blazer

The San Francisco 49ers are set to induct Gordy Soltau this weekend as the 23^rd inductee into the team’s Edward J. DeBartolo Sr., San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame.

Soltau will be inducted at a private event Saturday night and introduced in front of the 49ers Faithful during a halftime ceremony at the 49ers Week 6 game against the New York Giants.

One of the other 22 members of the 49ers Hall of Fame, Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott, recently accepted his red 49ers Hall of Fame blazer this past week in a private ceremony at team headquarters.

“It fits great,” Lott told 49ers.com moments after CEO Jed York presented him with his red 49ers Hall of Fame blazer. “As you know, when you have the right fit in anything in life, it’s appropriate. I’m very grateful and very appreciative.”

Joined by his wife Karen, Lott was moved by the team’s invitation to accept his Hall of Fame blazer. With 22 inductees to present blazers to, the team has scheduled private ceremonies with various members of the Hall of Fame.

This time around it was Lott’s turn to take part in what he called, “an incredible moment.” He also made sure to thank Jed’s uncle, former owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.

In turn, York thanked Lott for his achievements with the 49ers, including four Super Bowl rings and five seasons with 100-plus tackles during his 14-year NFL career.

“He’s a great 49er, an unbelievable player, had a Hall of Fame career, won four Super Bowls and is just a great person,” York said. “To have Ronnie put on the red blazer, it’s a really cool feeling.”

York credited Lott for being a mentor to the team’s CEO, but also called him “a great friend.”

Lott was pleased to add an additional item to his wardrobe. He’s also thrilled to know the team will honor the Hall of Fame inductees at the new Santa Clara Stadium, right across the street from the team’s Santa Clara headquarters.

“Whatever happens on the other side, every seat, every moment that people will walk in there, they’re going to find themselves saying, ‘I see the game,’ and then, ‘what’s that place over there? They have some of the guys who used to play here,’” joked Lott. “It’s going to be an incredible place to go and watch football and at the same time, go and see the history of the game. It should be great.”

With 20,000 square feet earmarked in the new stadium for a shrine to the team’s proud history, York echoed Lott’s enthusiasm for the project.

“We want to make sure the Hall of Fame is a representation of all the great 49ers who’ve been here,” York explained. “We want to make sure it’s interactive and you have a lot of things where players like Ronnie are featured. Fans that never got to see them play can actually experience what they were like on the field. You want to make sure that’s a great place for 49ers fans to really come and celebrate, enjoy and learn.”

There, they’ll get to know all about Lott, one of the most ferocious and feared defensive players in team history.