By Kevin Wing — Editor
Today is Sunday, Oct. 8, 2045, and this is a story from the future.
I just got home after going to see the first 49ers home game of the season at Levi’s Stadium. Yes, after all these years, I’m still devoted to my San Francisco 49ers.
I’ve been a fan since the days of Joe Montana back in the late 1970s. It seems so long ago. And, I guess it really was. That was more than 60 years ago.
I’ll never forget how super my Niners were back then. Finally, they won a pair of Super Bowls under Jimmy Garoppolo in 2024 and 2025. Since then, they’ve had a bit of a Super Bowl drought.
Hoping they go all the way this season. I always say that. It’s what 49er Faithful say. I’ve remained faithful to this team for something close to forever.
I’m an old man now. But, it’s okay. Being just over 80, I get a special seat in the stands at Levi’s. That’s right. There’s a very special section just for us 49er Faithful who happen to be over the age of 75.
They started this back in 2021, as a way to entice senior citizens to get out of the house and into the stands at Levi’s. Remember the coronavirus pandemic of 2020?
Of course, you do.
After the worldwide public health scare was over, many senior citizens didn’t want to go to 49ers games anymore. They wanted to stay at home and watch them on TV. The Niners made a decision, and what a public relations feat that was.
They began subsidizing season ticket prices for people over 65 who are retired and on a fixed income. As soon as I came of age, I took advantage of the special pricing.
Just 49 bucks a ticket. 49 dollars. That’s it. Score right? They want us to be at the stadium. Anyway, I get out to the stadium as much as I can these days.
Today’s first home game of the season was special. First of all, I’d been waiting for this game for some time now. It was the first home game of the 49ers’ 100th season.
A century in San Francisco … well, in the Bay Area, at least.
Established in 1946, the Niners left Candlestick Park back in 2014 to move to their new home in Santa Clara. Levi’s is now over 30 years old. And — while going to a game at Levi’s is always fun — there are so many mid-21st century high-tech conveniences there that I’m not sure what’s better, watching the Niners in the flesh or seeing them on my razor-thin, crystal clear 90-inch TV monitor at home.
Back to today.
It was a very special occasion this afternoon at Levi’s Stadium. In fact, making it even more special was the fact that Joe Cool – yes, Mr. Joe Montana himself – was at the game.
He was not only at the game, but the 89-year-old former quarterback, still considered to be the best NFL quarterback ever to play the game, sat in our seniors section.
For fun, Joe threw a football out onto the field during halftime. I was cheering him on. Damn, he’s still got a great arm.
Here’s something new for Levi’s. It’s designed to enhance the fan experience at the stadium. They’d been working on it since the 2030s, actually.
All of us in the stands can have a floating, hands-free, mini-screen device that allows us to watch plays over and over again. It’s instant replay on steroids.
Each seat has a little microphone attached to the armrest. You don’t have to push a button or anything. Simply say aloud that you need the microphone, and it instantly pops up out of the armrest.
Once the microphone is extended, all you have to do is say aloud that you would like the instant replay mini-screen. Within seconds, the device flies directly to your seat.
The thing must weigh less than two pounds. You see them flying and hovering all over the stadium. But, they are so small that it doesn’t really distract anyone.
Once the screen is hovering in front of you, you choose the features. Review a play. Review all of the plays. Even play fantasy football. Choose which plays the Niners should call next out on the field.
Okay. I should tell you. There’s a charge for all of this. But, it’s so convenient. I really don’t have to worry about anything.
You see, I’m also wearing a watch. It’s a special watch. A 49ers personal accessory, if you will. You wear it when you’re at Levi’s Stadium.
The watch communicates with the microphone that pops out of your armrest. The microphone also serves as a wireless antenna. I can also order food right to my seat.
They will make almost anything for you at Levi’s Stadium. But, if you want to order something specifically, you have to look at the menu. Just ask for it when your mini-screen is floating in front of your face.
Once ordered, and once the food arrives, the microphone antenna and my 49ers watch communicate to debit my bank account. It’s that simple.
As a result of the pandemic 25 years ago, technology within Levi’s Stadium has also created an all-encompassing no-touch experience. You don’t need to worry about touching anything. There are no ATMs at Levi’s.
Need money? Your cash isn’t good there. But yes, you do have to wear that watch. After all, it is your passport to everything your heart will desire in the stadium.
Oh, the six-foot rule from the social distancing experience of 2020? It has lived on all these years. And, how does that work in a stadium the size of Levi’s? All of the seats can be moved.
With a command into the microphone – remember, no buttons to push – you can adjust your seat to help you steer clear of your neighbors.
This is life in the future. It’s so tech-ish. Everything is advanced. At just past 80 years of age, I never thought I’d see the day where almost everything is “automated.” There’s a 20th century term right there. But, one thing is clear: the 2020 pandemic scared us all. Things don’t feel intimate anymore in the year 2045. Those days are over, it seems.
I sure miss the way it was, before the pandemic changed everything for us. We never asked for it to happen. But, there are lessons to be learned from this. And, if it will help us to keep safe and stay healthy, then it’s all worthwhile.
Follow Kevin on Twitter @KevinWingNBC