Touchdown: The 49ers hope to depart Las Vegas with Super Bowl rings when they arrive.
Las Vegas: After landing safely an hour after sundown on Sunday, the 49ers arrived with the same goals as most tourists: wealth and an incredible time.
But with just one week until Super Bowl LVIII kickoff against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium, there is still a ton of work and distractions to deal with.
The Lombardi Trophy will be up for grabs at that point.
Regarding the latter, a mere fifteen minutes further along Interstate 15 brings one to the sobering realization of just how ephemeral success can be, and how Super Bowl mementos can be treasured or thrown away. This is Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.
There are several Super Bowl rings up for grabs. However, ones from the 1981 49ers ($65,000) and the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs ($72,500) are not in-house but rather available through consignment and online bidding via the pawn shop, which is featured on the reality television show “Pawn Stars.” Framed photos of Joe Montana and Steve Young are on display alongside replica rings from previous 49ers championships—separate from one another, that is.
Only three current 49ers players—defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (2020 Rams), cornerback Logan Ryan (2014, ’16 Patriots), and cornerback Charvarius Ward (2019 Chiefs)—have Super Bowl rings from previous teams.
As he was a player for the 2020 Chiefs when they were defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl, Ward is as knowledgeable as anyone about what to anticipate from this week’s festivities.
As the Super Bowl is being held in Vegas, I might make a brief appearance during the first day or two. It’s really time to focus and lock in after that, according to Ward. The entire week feels a lot like a film. Everywhere you look, you’ll see celebrities. You might see Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kevin Hart, and other celebrities during pregame.
Ward continued, “At the end of the day, it’s still a game.” It is imperative that you continue to strive for victory, particularly during the Super Bowl. You must spend the entire week locked in because you don’t want to (mess up) the Super Bowl.
Hundreds of fans braved the pouring rain outside the 49ers’ facility to support the team as they made their way to Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon as their caravan made its way to San Jose Mineta International Airport.
Their charter flight landed two hours later. Two additional charters will take employees and their families to Las Vegas on Thursday.
The Chiefs are staying a mile away at the Westin, while the 49ers will spend eight nights at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa, about thirty minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
Officially, both hotels are located in Henderson. Before their preseason opener against the Raiders in August, the 49ers shared joint practices with the team at a different hotel about thirty minutes away.
The 49ers stayed in downtown Miami four years prior to their Super Bowl IV loss to the Chiefs, 31-20. The 2012 49ers were holed up in a hotel in New Orleans’ French Quarter before losing 34–31 to the Baltimore Ravens.
Tight end still with the 49ers after that team’s devastating Super Bowl loss in 2019 George Kittle, a wide receiver
Tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, punter Mitch Wishnowsky, and defensive linemen Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, and Kevin Givens are still with the 49ers after that team’s devastating Super Bowl loss in 2019. Ross Dwelley, a tight end, is listed as injured.
Kittle’s advice to his team’s rookies in the Super Bowl: Follow your routine, whether it’s getting up at a specific time or curling up on the couch to watch TV after practice.
Kittle said, “Why change it up? You and your agent don’t have to go out to dinner. See him the following week. Nothing more needs to be done on your part. Simply carry out your current tasks, then rejoice when you’re finished.
