Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values & Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE @ProFootballHOF 11/18/2016

Contact: Pete Fierle, Chief of Staff & Vice President of Communications [email protected]; 330-588-3622

EDWARD J. DeBARTOLO, JR. TO RECEIVE RING OF EXCELLENCE HALL OF FAME OWNER TO BE HONORED DURING HALFTIME CEREMONY AT LEVI’S STADIUM ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON

CANTON, OHIO – The Pro Football Hall of Fame and Kay® Jewelers, the Official Jewelry Store of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will honor Class of 2016 enshrinee EDWARD J. DeBARTOLO, JR. Sunday afternoon. The special presentation takes place at halftime of the San Francisco 49ers Week 11 matchup against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium.

The Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence is one of three iconic symbols that represent the elite status of being a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. DeBartolo, Jr. received his Hall of Fame Gold Jacket on Thursday night of Enshrinement Week in Canton, and unveiled his Bronzed Bust during the Enshrinement Ceremony two days later. All three symbols – the Gold Jacket, the Bronzed Bust, and the Ring of Excellence – will be displayed during the Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence presentation. DeBartolo, Jr. will wear his Hall of Fame Gold Jacket and his Bronzed Bust has been temporarily removed from the Hall of Fame and made its way to Santa Clara for the 49ers Alumni Weekend and the Ring of Excellence ceremony. His Bronzed Bust has been on display at the 49ers Museum since Monday, Nov. 14 in honor of the weekend’s festivities.

A Youngstown, Ohio native, DeBartolo, Jr. was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame because of his contributions to the game as the longtime owner of the 49ers from 1977 to 2000. Known as the “player’s owner,” DeBartolo, Jr. created a first-class atmosphere and infused the roster with talent that resulted in San Francisco enjoying a remarkable string of winning seasons. During DeBartolo, Jr.’s tenure with the 49ers, the team made 16 playoff appearances, won 13 division titles, played in 10 championship games, and COMMITMENT • INTEGRITY • COURAGE • RESPECT • EXCELLENCE

became the first franchise ever to win five Super Bowls – XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, and XXIX. The 49ers posted the best winning percentage in the NFL in both the decades of the 1980s and 1990s.

DeBartolo, Jr. is the 15th longtime member of the 49ers franchise to earn election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Other 49ers who preceded him to Canton include: FRED DEAN, CHARLES HALEY, JIMMY JOHNSON, RONNIE LOTT, HUGH McELHENNY, JOE MONTANA, LEO NOMELLINI, JOE PERRY, JERRY RICE, BOB ST. CLAIR, Y.A. TITTLE, BILL WALSH, DAVE WILCOX and STEVE YOUNG.

DeBartolo, Jr. is also one of 22 contributors to earn a Bronzed Bust in Canton.

In addition to being enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016, DeBartolo, Jr. was previously inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and the San Francisco 49ers Wall of Fame in 2009. Aside from his role with the team, DeBartolo, Jr. is highly respected inside NFL circles and served on the league’s realignment and expansion committees.

To DeBartolo, Jr. football is much more than just a game. It is a way of life and that was made most evident through his actions as the owner of the 49ers. During his Enshrinement speech in Canton, DeBartolo, Jr. made a profound statement about how this Game goes beyond the field. “Make no mistake, history has its eyes on all of us right now. It's about the respect and gratitude we feel for these athletes who have given their all to this game. We've got to do all we can to look after one another and take care of one another, not just when the uniform is on, but when the uniform comes off, too.”

PHOTOS: DeBartolo Jr.’s Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence (for editorial purposes only): https://profootballhof.box.com/s/6kxqfp6qad3idzeq90wqhx470pva4727

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ABOUT THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME Located in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the National Football League, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution with the Mission to Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values, & Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE.

Hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe travel to Canton annually to experience “The Most Inspiring Place on Earth!” that chronicles America’s most popular sport. Millions more are reached through the Hall of Fame’s hundreds of special events held annually outside Canton and through the multiple nationally broadcast programs focused on the selection of the newest Class of Enshrinees.

Construction on Hall of Fame Village, a nearly $600 million development project that includes nine main components, is under way in Canton to transform the Hall of Fame’s campus.

For more information about the Pro Football Hall of Fame, please visit ProFootballHOF.com; @ProFootballHOF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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COMMITMENT • INTEGRITY • COURAGE • RESPECT • EXCELLENCE