HONOLULU – A third of the 49ers recipe for success in 2011 was the consistent play of the team‟s special teams units. With three San Francisco specialists representing the club at the 2012 Pro Bowl, it wasn‟t hard to see why the contributions from players like David Akers, Brian Jennings and Andy Lee led the team to a 14-win season and a NFC West division crown. On Sunday, the trio combined to make several key plays in the National Football League‟s annual showcase game, proving once and for all just how vital they‟ve been this year. Ultimately, the NFC team fell short, falling 59-41 to the AFC, but the 49ers were well represented at Aloha Stadium throughout the 60-minute affair. Akers, the six-time Pro Bowl kicker, successfully executed two onside kicks (one of which was recovered by Jennings, the 49ers long snapper). Meanwhile, Lee completed an 8-yard pass on a fake punt which set up the NFC‟s second touchdown of the game. The first onside kick, coupled with Lee‟s pass, led to 14 first half points for the NFC, who led 28-21 at the half. The AFC squad, however, stormed back in the second half and went on to outscore their counterparts 31-13 to win in convincing fashion. Miami Dolphins wide-out Brandon Marshall caught six passes for 176 yards and a Pro Bowl-record four touchdown passes to win the game‟s Most Valuable Player award. But for San Francisco‟s representatives, it was clear that the special teams trio deserved much of the credit for the NFC‟s success on Sunday. “Those guys are phenomenal guys,” five-time 49ers Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis said. “They‟re very good at what they do. They came out today and showcased a little of that. We‟re very fortunate to have them on our team.” Likewise, the NFC was fortunate to have them and the Green Bay Packers coaching staff made sure to use all their punt, pass and kicking talents.

Akers‟ second onside kick, recovered by Jennings, was attempted in the third quarter with the NFC leading 35-31. The kick bounced around at first, but eventually the 49ers long snapper wound up with the ball and held it high in the air for everyone to see.

Hours later, Jennings held on to the ball postgame during on-field interviews. “I‟m going to get it painted up and put it on a shelf,” said Jennings, who made his second Pro Bowl appearance.

February 1st, 2012 Dear 49ers Kids Club Member, On behalf of the San Francisco 49ers organization, we thank you for your participation this past season in our fan events, training camp sessions, and contests. Not only did many of you receive 49ers gear and prizes, but several Gold members had the once in a lifetime opportunity to be a Kickoff Kid for a 49ers home game. One highlight this season was the 49ers Kids Club Skating Party, which was free for all Gold members to attend. The event was held in mid-December underneath the palm trees of Downtown Ice skating rink in San Jose, alongside 49ers mascot Sourdough Sam and Gold Rush cheerleaders.

While new memberships for siblings and friends are currently on hold for the next few months, we will continue to host contests for all current members to win signed 49ers memorabilia and great 49ers prizes. Each month we will distribute the Playbook e-newsletter directly to your parents‟ email inboxes, so you can stay up to date with the happenings of your favorite football team even during the offseason. Sign-ups for the 2012 Kids Club will launch around Draft Day at the end of April and will include a brand new merchandise packet full of exclusive 49ers Kids Club goodies! There

will also be newly added events and special invitations for you and your family throughout the football season. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for the 49ers Kids Club, we would love to hear from you! Please email us at: 49erskidsclub@niners.nfl.com or call (408) 562-4949. We wish you all the best as we head into a busy offseason and can‟t wait to see everyone next year! Sincerely, Sourdough Sam 49ers Kids Club

Sourdough Sam, the beloved

mascot of the 49ers joined eight of the

49ers players as they journeyed to Honolulu for the 2012 Pro

Bowl on Sunday, January 29th.

For more updates on

Sourdough Sam and the 49ers, follow him on

Facebook

San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowlers Joe Staley, Justin Smith, and Andy Lee taking a break during their Pro Bowl trip in Hawaii during the end of January. The Pro Bowl took place in Honolulu and the AFC defeated the NFC, 59-41.

HONOLULU – Chicken wings by the pool and making plans for a possible deep-sea fishing expedition later in the week is how Patrick Willis celebrated his 27th birthday on Wednesday. Not only is the five-time Pro Bowl linebacker joined by five other 49ers in town for the NFL‟s annual All-Star game, but Willis is accompanied by family members in making the trip to the islands. Granted, Willis and his teammates would much rather be preparing for the Super Bowl having suffered a 20-17 overtime loss in the NFC title game to the New York Giants. Yet, being able to celebrate his birth-day with friends and family so soon after a difficult day isn‟t lost on Willis. Having to do it in Hawaii isn‟t bad either. “It‟s not,” said Willis after a 90-minute practice at Kapolei High School, sight of the NFC‟s first practice of the week. “Hawaii‟s a great place, great weather and it‟s really warm right now. I thank God I was able to see my 27th birthday and to be around some of my teammates and some of my friends I‟ve known throughout the league – it‟s a good feeling.” Perhaps the ultimate respect for the first 49ers player to make five consecutive Pro Bowls to start a career was the outpouring of support from his new teammates on the NFC roster. Many congratulated Willis and the 49ers on a tremendous season, even members of the New Orleans Saints, who were eliminated by the 49ers in the NFL Divisional Playoff round, offered kind words. “They said they were rooting for us,” shared Willis on some of the NFC‟s practice chatter. “They said, „We knew y‟all we‟re going to go. We knew y‟all had it. The Super Bowl was yours.‟ But to hear them say that, it means a lot to us because we felt that way. To hear them say it, it means a lot.”

Willis, himself, couldn‟t help but share a little harmless practice ban-ter with Saints tight end Jimmy Gra-ham, who caught a pair of touch-downs in a losing effort against the 49ers. Although practice was at a teaching tempo for the most part and in-volved play installation and brief 7-on-7 passing drills, Willis couldn‟t resist sharing insight with his new teammates as to how to defend New Orleans unique play-maker.

“I was telling somebody, „Hit this guy right here, don‟t even let him get off the line,‟” said Willis with a big grin. “We laugh about it, because the games are competitive, but off the field, I feel like we‟re all good people. All the best are out here.”

All the best includes five other 49ers on the NFC squad. See-ing so many red and gold helmets amongst an NFC roster wearing grey and blue t-shirts out at practice was a great feeling for Willis, who is coming off his first career playoff ap-pearance like many on San Francisco‟s roster. “I remember coming here and it was just myself,” Willis shared. “Now to come here and have the guys we have, Joe Staley, Justin Smith, David Akers, Brian Jennings and Andy, my man, Andy Lee… To see that (now), it‟s a good feeling. I‟m blessed.” Humble and committed to succeed as ever, Willis made it clear how appreciative he was for all the people who‟ve helped him get to this point of his career. “I‟m thankful for everyone who voted for me to get here over the past five years,” Willis said. “To be here, it‟s something I don‟t take for granted.”

This year for the big game, make sure to pick healthier snacks and meals with your family and friends. Check out the healthier recipes below for dishes that

may already be on your game day menu!

Ingredients

1 16-ounce can nonfat refried beans, preferably “spicy”

1 15-ounce can

black beans, rinsed

4 scallions,

sliced

½ cup prepared salsa

½ teaspoon

ground cumin

¼ cup pickled

jalapeño slices, chopped

1 cup shredded low-fat Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese

½ cup reduced-fat sour cream

1 1/2 cups chopped romaine lettuce

1 medium tomato, chopped

1 medium avocado, chopped

¼ cup canned sliced black olives (optional) Preparation

1. Combine refried beans, black beans, scallions, salsa, cumin, and jalapeños in a medium bowl. Transfer to a shallow 2-quart microwave-safe dish; sprinkle with cheese.

2. Microwave on High until the cheese is melted and the

beans are hot, 3 to 5 minutes. Spread sour cream evenly over the hot bean mixture, then scatter with lettuce, tomato, avocado and olives (if using). Nutrition Per serving: 146 calories; 7 g fat;12 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbo-hydrates; 7 g protein; 5 g fiber; 288 mg sodium; 164 mg potas-sium.

Ingredients

½ small shallot, peeled

1 5-ounce

can water chestnuts,

rinsed

½ cup reduced-fat

cream cheese

½ cup low-fat cottage cheese

¼ cup nonfat plain yogurt

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

6 ounces baby spinach 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Preparation Make sure to ask your parents for help! Pulse shallot and water chestnuts in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Add cream cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, lemon juice, salt and pepper and pulse until just combined. Add spinach and chives and pulse until incorporated. Nutrition Per 1/4-cup serving: 54 calories; 3 g fat ( 2 g sat , 1 g mono ); 10 mg cholesterol; 4 g carbo-hydrates; 4 g protein; 1 g fiber; 222 mg sodium;

102 mg potassium. For more healthy recipes, visit eatingwell.com

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Hometown: Alviso, CA

What did you want to be when you grew up? I

wanted to be a pro athlete, (baseball, or football), a

firefighter, or nurse.

How long have you been working here? I just

finished my fifth season with the 49ers.

What do you do for the 49ers? Currently I work for

the security department and help out both at team

headquarters during the week, and also at home/

away football games.

What did you study in school? I studied to be-

come an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and

wanted to get into the medical field, but I‟ve had to

put that on hold for family.

What’s your favorite part about working for the

49ers? I‟d have to say my favorite part working for

the 49ers is the staff and the family atmosphere

within the organization.

What advice would you give someone who

wants to work in sports? I would say work hard

and put your nose to the grind stone.

Do you have any funny experiences with a 49ers

player? When we were flying home after the win in October 2011 against the Detroit Lions some of the

football players started a little rap circle on the plane, one of our guests for the game was wearing a

49ers jersey and a player pulled him to the back of the game to join the circle, so he helped out with

the songs.

And lastly: Being able to watch all the away games from the sidelines is pretty interesting.