As the 49ers left the team facility to head to the airport, fans had one last chance to see them before the Super Bowl. More than one hundred people were lined up outside in the parking lot to greet the team buses for a final send off on Sunday afternoon.
Several fans are still feeling high off the team's win against the Atlanta Falcons. This is the first 49ers Super Bowl in 18 years.
"It was tears of joy," said Viridiana, a fan from Sunnyvale. "I was overwhelmed and beyond excited to going to the Super Bowl. I was 12 the last time this happened."
For some long time fans, it's been rewarding to see the 49ers successful again. A few will keep remembering the pass broken up by NaVorro Bowman on fourth down.
"I was celebrating [when Bowman knocked down the ball]," said Steve Mahoney, a fan from North Beach, San Francisco. "I've been watching a replay of [the NFC Championship] game once every other day. It's been wonderful to stick by this team for every game and they've come around finally."
Mahoney has experienced the 49ers in Kezar Stadium, Candlestick Park and in 2014 will see them in the new stadium in Santa Clara. He's looking forward to a bright future from the stadium to Colin Kaepernick as the quarterback.
Jim Lee, a fan from Mountain View said the breathed a sigh of relief when Bowman knocked the pass down. He was optimistic for the 49ers when Jim Harbaugh was hired as head coach.
"I knew this turn around would be coming [under Harbaugh]," Lee said. "It's like in the [American] Civil War when Abraham Lincoln took time to find the right general to lead the union. The 49ers found Harbaugh after several coaches from Mike Nolan to Mike Singletary and I knew he was the right guy."
Lee admitted he was one of the few doubters when Kaepernick took over for Smith. He said it was a gutsy move by Harbaugh to go with the hot hand over the veteran QB.
Vendale Walker, a fan since 1993 thought this "Harbowl" should've happened last season since both teams lost in the conference finals due to mistakes in their respective games.
"This should be our second year in a row in the Super Bowl," said Walker. "The [Ravens] screwed up last year with errors and so did we. It should be the second Ravens and 49ers Super Bowl in a row."
Last year for the Ravens, Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard field goal in the final seconds against the Patriots which would've sent the game to overtime. Earlier, Patriots CB Sterling Moore broke up a pass to WR Lee Evans which would've given the Ravens a touchdown.
For the 49ers, Kyle Williams ended up misplaying a punt which bounced of his leg against the New York Giants. He fumbled another punt which led to the Giants kicking a field goal to end the game.
Walker said he enjoyed that Kaepernick took over as quarterback and that he put the 49ers in the best position to win. He likes how the team has a QB who is dangerous at both running and throwing. He is anxious for the Super Bowl to begin.
"Kaepernick starting was a blessing in disguise," said Walker. "Once he started, he excelled. No disrespect to Alex Smith, but he had his time and couldn't get the job done. Look where [Kaepernick] got us and no one should complain. Kaepernick is well-rounded and that's what we need. He put us in this position to win a Super Bowl and I can't wait to see the game."
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