TAMPA, Fla. – Jimmy Garoppolo and his 49ers center, Weston Richburg, share a common bond beyond just the football snapped between them.
It’s not their fashion flare, not when Garoppolo wears Jordans and Richburg pulls on cowboy boots. It’s not their facial hair, not when Garoppolo’s five-o’clock shadow is dwarfed by Richburg’s manly mustache. It’s not their demeanor, not when Garoppolo is more good cop and Richburg more bad cap.
And yet, as the season opens Sunday against the Buccaneers, Garoppolo and Richburg are both attempting comebacks from serious injury, and they’re the ones at the ignition switch of the 49ers offense.