Ronald Blair III made a fateful choice during his freshman year in high school, according to the 49ers. He ignored his band teacher, who argued he should keep playing tuba instead of going out for football, because he’d never see the field anyway as a freshman. Instead Blair put on a helmet, made varsity and became a starter that year. He went on to become a star at tiny Appalachian State, and a 5th round pick for the Niners.
While the music world mourns the loss of a potential tuba superstar, the 49ers celebrate the development of a young versatile defensive lineman.