Former 49ers owner was inducted into San Francisco’s Hall of Fame

Eddie DeBartolo Jr., the San Francisco 49ers’ owner from 1977-98, was worthy of being honored as the inaugural inductee into San Francisco’s Hall of Fame on Sunday. Being affectionately known as “Mr. D” to his players and coaches, DeBartolo was the owner of five-time Super Bowl winner 49ers.

Wide receiver Jerry Rice spoke on the ceremony as a plaque was unveiled honoring DeBartolo as the first inductee into the Eddie DeBartolo Sr. Hall of Fame.

“Eddie has set a standard in the NFL that has never been matched,” said Rice, one of a half-dozen former players taking part in the ceremony. “When you think of San Francisco, you think of the 49ers and of Eddie DeBartolo Jr.’s legacy. He demanded perfection and we delivered for him.”

The 62-year-old DeBartolo expressed his gratitude to those who support the 49ers in a brief speech and told reporters later that he had a plan to help his nephew and current 49ers president Jed York in the team’s efforts to land a new stadium deal.