SANTA CLARA -- It was hard to hear former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo as he spoke to reporters at Levi's Stadium about an hour before Sunday’s game began.
For one, two of his famous former players, Ronnie Lott and Jerry Rice, were there to help him celebrate his hall-of-fame induction and the few 49ers fans in the stadium early were desperately calling their names.
DeBrtolo also spoke as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady came running out of the tunnel for warm-ups, and chants of "Brad-y! Brad-y!" filled the air. There were plenty of Patriots backers on hand early and their ranks only grew the closer it came to kickoff.