TAGS SHOCKS 49ERS, 49ER-HATERS

Commish hints at novel concept: actually treat convicted felon, Eddie D., like a criminal

February 3, 1999 (NHS) -- 49er-Haters and people for decency everywhere celebrated the words of NFL Commissioner Paul "Tags" Tagliabue last Friday before the Super Bowl. While Tags avoided any sort of specifics, he hinted that perhaps, just perhaps, we may actually see what the media and NFL have been avoiding for months:

Actually treating Eddie DeBartolo, convicted felon, like a criminal.

Yes, heaven forbid, Tags hinted that there will be a punishment for Eddie's Louisiana gambling shenanigans. If you recall, Eddie presented a briefcase full of crisp, new $100 bills to ex-Governor Edwin Edwards in order to procure a gaming license from a Louisiana gaming commission. In short lingo, a bribe. However, since the federal government has been trying to fry the bigger fish -- Edwards -- they agreed to allow DeBartolo to plead to the obtuse crime of misprision of felony in exchange for testimony against his buddy Edwards. In short lingo, Eddie turned rat to avoid jail, but still becomes a convicted felon. Because of this mess, Eddie relinquished his ownership of the 49ers and agreed to not participate with the daily operations of the franchise.

On Friday, the punishment alluded to by Tags is continuing this non-participation ban through this year and possibly beyond. "I think that for the foreseeable future, which means at least the 1999 season, that Eddie's sister is going to be the person who is principally responsible for managing the 49ers," said Tags. "Eddie has been divorced from the team ... and I think the likelihood is that that will continue."

According to insiders, Tagliabue's decree was a huge shock to Eddie D., who seemed to be close to finalizing a deal with his sister and seemed en route to reclaiming his 49er throne earlier than later. Now, it seems that instead of being an occasion for his reinstatement, the March NFL Winter Meetings will be where Tags outlines the exact terms of the "divorce."

Tagliabue's comments came in the wake of months of impropriety by Eddie. As mentioned, he is supposed to be banned from participating in team operations, yet -- as typical of his lack of respect for authority and crass nature -- not only has he continued to run the 49ers, but he has flaunted his involvement in the face of the NFL by riding in the ambulance that carried Bryant Young to the hospital, celebrating in the 49ers' locker room after their tainted playoff win, and, just recently, Bill Walsh freely and happily admitting during a press conference that Eddie was instrumental in hiring Walsh as GM.

It's that last stickler that really seems to have ruffled Tagliabue's feathers. At Friday's press conference, after explaining how Eddie is "divorced" from the team, a Chronicle reporter (most likely thinking he was making a funny), voiced rhetorically, "Then who hired Bill Walsh?"

Now, you have to understand this in context. For years, the 49ers have engaged in the sleaziest practices to gain any possible unfair advantages, and the most they've ever drawn is slaps on the wrist from the NFL. Tags has always been there as a visible 49er-supporter, drinking scotch with best-buddy Carmen Policy and backing the 49ers fraudulent pro-stadium campaign to the point of bringing the Super Bowl to the city to buy some more votes. In short, Tags has created the image that he and the NFL will support anything the 49ers do, illegal, indecent or not.

But instead of the expected sly and knowing smile and laughter in response to the Chronicle columnist, Tags got peeved. "You know, I may be a lot of things, but I am not naive or dumb," he said, "We do want to make it clear that the type of conduct that Eddie engaged in in Louisiana is unacceptable in the National Football League and you are going to have to pay a price for having engaged in that type of conduct that is detrimental to the league."

Not only are those comments encouraging because they suggest Tags has awakened from his turn-the-other-cheek slumber, but on another level, they break what was previously taboo. Eddie D is a slimeball, no doubts about it, yet there seems to be an unwritten rule that despite his lack of respect for the law and decency, he somehow deserves to be treated with respect. For the NFL and Tagliabue to treat him with respect is one thing -- after all, he is an owner and part of their business -- but for the media to constantly kiss his big butt is beyond reproach. Tagliabue's comments were nothing short of a slap in Eddie's toady face, and the media couldn't hide the ball this time, especially given that extra media was there for the Super Bowl.

Instead of the "Free Eddie D.!" articles being churned out by the San Jose Mercury, just maybe this event will break the ice and prompt the media to actually cover a novel angle: treating the convicted felon like the criminal that he is. Or maybe things will continue as usual; after all, ESPNet quickly erased any mention of this story by Tuesday.

Perhaps the departure of Policy is going to turn out bigger than previously thought. Maybe all along it wasn't the 49ers that Tags has been infatuated with, but his best friend Policy, and now that Policy's schmoozing has moved on to Cleveland, Tags can see the 49ers' true stank. Of course, maybe this is yet another ploy to get the nation thinking about the 49ers during Super Bowl hype week, although given the negatives associated, that's really stretching.

By sounding decidedly anti-49er on this issue, 49er-Haters have to be ecstatic that at least the Commish is sounding like his head is finally in the right place. Whether his heart is there remains to be seen, but it's looking like we're headed for the best of both worlds: Eddie continuing to look like the chump that he is, and when he does eventually come back, surrounding him will be a laughingstock of a franchise.

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