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To be the man...
Jan. 6th, 2014 06:23 pmWondering how the 49ers beat the Packers by one score on Sunday?
Probably because they brought in the Nature Boy to inspire the team.
No, really.
Flair apparently flew from Orlando to Green Bay to share his love of the team and its legends Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. No doubt, the guy can cut a promo.
But the Niners.
Why San Francisco? That was my first thought.
He must really hate Kevin Greene. (Greene is the Packers linebacker coach, and faced Flair in the ring in WCW some 20 years ago.)
But Flair has been synonymous with Charlotte for four decades and the 9ers next opponent are the Carolina Panthers.
What?
That's right.
Heel turn!
It's Vintage Flair. The Dirtiest Player in the Game.
Flair apparently has flip-flopped from supporting his hometown Panthers to the 49ers.
It began earlier this week when a video of the Panthers using Flair's famous "WOOOOOOO" chant in the locker room following a 21-20 victory over Atlanta made its way onto the internet.
Quarterback Cam Newton even tossed in a "and The Nature Boy'' shout at the end.
After talking to cornerback Drayton Florence, who brought the chant to the team, I discovered Florence was trying to get Flair to come to the stadium before this week's game to give a motivational speech.
I also discovered Florence, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and safety Mike Mitchell filmed a "WOOOOOOO'' video to put on the stadium Jumbotron to fire up the fans.
Here's what Flair said after learning of all this.
"I'm humbled to have achieved that much respect by my hometown team," he said. "I really believe the Panthers have the weapons to go all the way."
Wait. There's more. On Nov. 18, before the Panthers played New England on Monday night, Flair sent this phone message to the team:
"Hey boys, it's The Nature Boy Ric Flair calling you live from Atlanta, Ga.," he said. "Tonight's the night guys. The New England Patriots are in town. Who cares? It's Carolina Panther time guys.
"Cam Newton, athletic gifts unparalleled. Steve Smith, the baddest man in the NFL. My good buddy Mario, you guys do it tonight. Remember, to be the team, you've got to beat the team. And right now you are the team, and will be all night long."
Now fast-forward to Saturday night at the 49ers' hotel in Green Bay. Flair appeared wearing dark sunglasses and to the music of "2001: A Space Odyssey."
He told the players somebody from the organization contacted the WWE and asked that he show up to give a motivational speech. He said he "couldn't be more honored'' to be among them.
He cracked jokes about them coming to Charlotte this week before they beat Green Bay 23-20.
"That's my hometown,'' he chuckled. "Cam ain't going to like that, either."
He also referenced that the Panthers were "lucky" to beat the 49ers 10-9 earlier this season in San Francisco, and admitted "I didn't know the guys beat you this year."
Then he called the 49ers "Ric Flair's team."
"Ric Flair's heart is with the 49ers, all the way to the end,'' said Flair, who was born in Memphis, Tenn., and became a resident of Charlotte in 1974. "Sleep on that tonight, brothers.''
Then there was a "WOOOOOOO."
Then there was a strut.
Sting surely feels their pain/
Probably because they brought in the Nature Boy to inspire the team.
No, really.
Flair apparently flew from Orlando to Green Bay to share his love of the team and its legends Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. No doubt, the guy can cut a promo.
But the Niners.
Why San Francisco? That was my first thought.
He must really hate Kevin Greene. (Greene is the Packers linebacker coach, and faced Flair in the ring in WCW some 20 years ago.)
But Flair has been synonymous with Charlotte for four decades and the 9ers next opponent are the Carolina Panthers.
What?
That's right.
Heel turn!
It's Vintage Flair. The Dirtiest Player in the Game.
Flair apparently has flip-flopped from supporting his hometown Panthers to the 49ers.
It began earlier this week when a video of the Panthers using Flair's famous "WOOOOOOO" chant in the locker room following a 21-20 victory over Atlanta made its way onto the internet.
Quarterback Cam Newton even tossed in a "and The Nature Boy'' shout at the end.
After talking to cornerback Drayton Florence, who brought the chant to the team, I discovered Florence was trying to get Flair to come to the stadium before this week's game to give a motivational speech.
I also discovered Florence, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and safety Mike Mitchell filmed a "WOOOOOOO'' video to put on the stadium Jumbotron to fire up the fans.
Here's what Flair said after learning of all this.
"I'm humbled to have achieved that much respect by my hometown team," he said. "I really believe the Panthers have the weapons to go all the way."
Wait. There's more. On Nov. 18, before the Panthers played New England on Monday night, Flair sent this phone message to the team:
"Hey boys, it's The Nature Boy Ric Flair calling you live from Atlanta, Ga.," he said. "Tonight's the night guys. The New England Patriots are in town. Who cares? It's Carolina Panther time guys.
"Cam Newton, athletic gifts unparalleled. Steve Smith, the baddest man in the NFL. My good buddy Mario, you guys do it tonight. Remember, to be the team, you've got to beat the team. And right now you are the team, and will be all night long."
Now fast-forward to Saturday night at the 49ers' hotel in Green Bay. Flair appeared wearing dark sunglasses and to the music of "2001: A Space Odyssey."
He told the players somebody from the organization contacted the WWE and asked that he show up to give a motivational speech. He said he "couldn't be more honored'' to be among them.
He cracked jokes about them coming to Charlotte this week before they beat Green Bay 23-20.
"That's my hometown,'' he chuckled. "Cam ain't going to like that, either."
He also referenced that the Panthers were "lucky" to beat the 49ers 10-9 earlier this season in San Francisco, and admitted "I didn't know the guys beat you this year."
Then he called the 49ers "Ric Flair's team."
"Ric Flair's heart is with the 49ers, all the way to the end,'' said Flair, who was born in Memphis, Tenn., and became a resident of Charlotte in 1974. "Sleep on that tonight, brothers.''
Then there was a "WOOOOOOO."
Then there was a strut.
Sting surely feels their pain/
