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DHNF · 06-12-2007, 12:19 PM

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Plan to support Nolan is well-suited for 49ers fans
By Matthew Barrows - Bee Staff Writer

Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1

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SANTA CLARA -- Reebok might be able to prevent Mike Nolan from wearing a suit on the 49ers' sideline, but the sneaker giant is powerless to stop a stadium-load of fans from donning their Sunday best on game day.

Call it the Formalwear Revolution, which was sparked last week by an Internet zealot who read that Nolan wasn't getting anywhere in his quest to permanently return the coat and tie to the NFL sideline. So "Ninerfan21" made a modest proposal: Why don't the 49ers' fans show Reebok where to shove it by showing up to the team's Sept. 10 home opener -- a prime-time affair, mind you -- dressed as businessmen? Since then, the idea has spread like chicken pox at summer camp.

And why not? It's a creative way of sticking it to a faceless, multi-gazillion-dollar corporation that insists grown men coach football games as if they're getting ready to run a 5K. It's a lesson to all the kids out there: You don't need lawsuits to settle disputes.

You just need suits.

And you have to believe that ESPN, which will air the opener, will have a field day with the concept. Every segue to a commercial -- and Lord knows there will be a lot of them -- will involve a throng of dapper Nolanites in button-down suits.

Finally, it's a novel concept.

Back when Y.A. Tittle and Joe Perry were playing, the stands were filled with fans in tweed and fedoras. Since then, the fan look has moved away from Joseph Abboud and toward, say, Kid Rock. The suit and tie could become a San Francisco trademark, like cheeseheads in Green Bay or hog noses in D.C.

Tipped off that there's a revolution afoot, Nolan laughed.

"I'll say this," he said, "I hope they do it for the same reason I'm doing it, which is out of respect for the league, the 49ers and to those who have done it in the past."

Then he let the idea sink in.

"I like it," he finally said. "It shows unity. I like that."

Reebok admittedly pays a lot -- $250 million -- to be the NFL's tailor, but it's hard to imagine the sneaker company continuing to fight this and looking anything but venal and petty.

The suit, after all, is designed to make men look good.

Middle-aged men generally don't belong in clothing designed for younger men, as anyone who witnessed Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella spilling out of his uniform last week can attest. (Apparently, the moniker "Sweet Lou" now applies to his favorite food group.) When Nolan and Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio were permitted to wear Reebok-approved suits for two games last season, the experiment was considered a success. Despite heaps of positive reviews -- and a lot of glowing press for Reebok -- Nolan and his black suit only will be allowed to make two appearances again this year.

Reebok surely wants the issue to die, and despite having what seems to be a small army of public relations specialists, had a devil of a time returning phone calls on Monday.

Last year Nolan, too, seemed a bit embarrassed by all the attention paid to the suit debate. This season, however, he's resolute in his quest.

The reason, he disclosed last week, is that the health of his father, former 49ers coach Dick Nolan, is deteriorating. The elder Nolan suffers from Alzheimer's disease and last month was placed in an assisted living facility for patients suffering dementia. The 75-year-old Nolan also is fighting prostate cancer.

Dick Nolan coached alongside men such as Tom Landry and Hank Stram, in an era in which coaches wore suits on the sideline. The younger Nolan's desire to do the same is an homage -- a tip of the fedora, if you will -- to the men who helped build the league and especially to his father.

It is for that reason that Nolan won't let the issue go. And it is for that reason Reebok should give in.

Viva La Revolución!

[/b]

Let the gay jokes begin.

Seriously though this is a good idea. Screw Reebok.