San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers Thanksgiving: How to be a Thankful Faithful

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers have not given much to be thankful for this year. But in an effort to spread some holiday joy, we will try. Here are three reasons to be thankful this year as a Niner Faithful.

Thanksgiving is a beautiful time of the year. All of the food, all of the family, all of the football! But what if you’re a 49ers fan? Sure, the team is 1-9. Hence their new nickname, the 1 & 9ers. Sure, the team is losing keys players like linebacker Navorro Bowman and safety Eric Reid to injuries. Sidenote: It’s hard to imagine Reid’s biceps getting hurt, have you seen those things?

We don’t think that your Thanksgiving should go uncelebrated. So we wanted to bring some light to your day. So in the spirit of the holiday, here are some things to be thankful for this year.

At least the 49ers are better than the Cleveland Browns.

Okay, this one does have some draft spot implications. And the Browns would technically have it better than the 49ers if they end up winless. But silver linings, people.

The Browns have had two, yes two, winning seasons since 1999. In the last four years the team has posted a 14-45 record. The Browns are the only winless team in 2016, and the only team worse than the 49ers.

Faux John Madden shared this picture earlier in the year. Since posting the picture, the list of Clevelands starting quarterbacks is only getting longer. In 2016 alone the Browns have started five different quarterbacks: Robert Griffin III, Terrell Pryor Sr., Josh McCown, Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan.

Enough about the Browns. Here’s the second area that we can all be thankful for this year.

At least the 49ers will get a great draft pick.

The 49ers have not had a top 5 draft pick since 2005, when they selected quarterback Alex Smith with the number one overall pick. If you’re reading this Alex, we miss you!

This year the 49ers are expected to select in the first or second position. With that pick, the 49ers are sure to draft a machine. They are guaranteed to draft a stud. They are sure to draft a day one game changer, right?

Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) reacts after making a sack during the first quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Cue Myles Garrett. The guy should be everybody’s draft crush. Garrett, defensive lineman out of Texas A&M, is one of the most promising young players to come out of the draft since Aldon Smith. More promising than even Joey Bosa. Let’s just hope Garrett doesn’t come with all of the drama.

Now, there is the chance that the 49ers retain general manager Trent Baalke, and he decides to draft the crippled Ole Miss quarterback, Chad Kelly. May it never be! Start the chants now! Myles! Myles! Myles!

Finally, one last thing to be very, very thankful for this year.

At least we don’t have to watch Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman eat a turkey at the 50-yard line at Levi’s again.

This moment still burns as one of the most painful in recent 49ers history. It was exactly two years ago today, Thanksgiving 2014. The 49ers are set to host NFC West rivals, the Seattle Seahawks at the freshly christened Levi’s Stadium. The stage is set for a wonderful game for Niner fans to enjoy. Until the last seconds of the fourth quarter ran out, and the Seahawks claimed a 19-3 victory over the Niners.

November 27, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and cornerback Richard Sherman (25, right) reach for the turkey around NBC reporter Michele Tafoya (center) at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 19-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The loss was painful. But not nearly as painful as what came after. It happens every year. The winning team enjoys a nice, beautifully cooked turkey at midfield. Which meant that the Niner Faithful were forced to watch Richard Sherman and Russell Wilson eat a turkey on the 49ers logo at midfield.

They enjoyed that turkey maybe more than they enjoyed the win. It was a very painful sight. But it is one that is more of a distant memory now.

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving, Niners Faithful!