CANTON, Ohio -- Not everyone believed Eddie DeBartolo Jr. was a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But Bill Walsh sure did. And not long before he died in 2007, the 49ers coach figured out how salute DeBartolo when the day finally arrived.DeBartolo, 69, recalled the story during his rollicking induction speech Saturday night. He said about a week after he was selected for this Class of 2016, he received a package in the mail from Walsh's son, Greg.Inside was a small 49ers helmet with an inscription from Walsh. It read: "I knew it was just a matter of time.