Dec
22

49ers Museum Unveils New Social Justice Exhibit- The Long Game

Thursday, December 22, 2022
Ahead of the Inspire Change Game on December 24, The Long Game Aims to
Reflect on the Past and Inspire Tomorrow 
 
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Today, the 49ers Museum announced a new exhibit examining Bay
Area sports icons who have elevated social justice into mainstream conversation. Curated by a
committee of select leaders across sports, cultural and academic communities, the exhibit–The
Long Game–will officially open to the public on Friday, December 23. The exhibit will also be
accessible from 10:05 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. on Saturday, December 24 ahead of the 49ers Week 16 game against the Washington Commanders.

The Long Game committee members include:
● Antoine Bethea, 49ers alum
● Dr. Harry Edwards, Professor Emeritus, the University of California Berkeley
● Valerie Huaco, former Deputy Director and Chief Content Officer, Oakland Museum of California
● Christina Jefferson, San Francisco 49ers Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
● Dr. Michael Omi, University of California Berkeley – Ethnic Studies
● Dr. Damion Thomas, National Museum of African American History and Culture
● Keena Turner, San Francisco 49ers Vice President and Senior Advisor to the General Manager.

“The San Francisco Bay Area has often been the backdrop of these stories,” said Dr. Harry
Edwards, Professor Emeritus, the University of California Berkeley. “From the iconic Willie Mays
in the 50s to the indelible mark Colin Kaepernick has left this 21st century, these stories are
meant to revisit the past, reflect on progress, and inspire hope for tomorrow.”
The exhibit opens the aperture on sexism, housing and racial discrimination.
 
These stories include:
● Willie Mays and housing discrimination in San Francisco
● Tommie Smith and John Carlos’ silent protest on the Olympic podium
● The diversification of professional sports team leadership starting with Bill Russell as the first post-segregation Black head coach of a major professional sports team
● Brandi Chastain’s historic goal that won the United States the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the broader context of Title IX and gender issues
● Colin Kaepernick’s iconic protest that pushed the conversation about anti-Black racism,
particularly police brutality, on a global scale.

The Long Game will house these stories and continue to evolve online here:
http://levisstadium.com/thelonggame 

“The goal of this exhibit is to become an educational tool that generates discussion,” said Al
Guido, San Francisco 49ers Team President. “The 49ers Museum was conceptualized around
the values of education, innovation and heritage. It will house this exhibit with hopes of starting 
a conversation about the intersection of sports and social injustice, and educating the next
generation.”

The 49ers Foundation EDU Home & Away program will provide a social justice focused activity
for students visiting the stadium and will include an explanation of the exhibit and a “The Story
of Me” worksheet that allows students to reflect on their background and start a conversation
about how their personal story can make an impact.

Timed to align with the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative, the exhibit opening is one part of the
social justice work taking place this month. Earlier this week, 49ers players and front office staff
visited San Quentin State prison for a social justice discussion, led by team Chaplain Pastor
Earl, with a panel of inmates and 49ers players. The day ended with a holiday gathering for the
players, inmates and their families.

49ers Museum hours of operation and admission fees for the remainder of the regular season
can be found here: https://www.levisstadium.com/visit-the-museum/

About the 49ers Museum
The 49ers Museum presented by Foxconn Industrial Internet – a first-class celebration of the
49ers past, present and future and recent inductee into the International Sports Museum
Association – features 10 unique gallery and exhibit spaces spread out over 20,000 square feet
inside Levi’s® Stadium.
 
The journey begins in the main lobby at the Trending Gallery, where
you will learn what’s new with the team and the space. From there you’ll move to the Morabito
Theater to watch the 49ers signature film and then into the Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. 49ers Hall
of Fame where you’ll walk amongst the 49ers greats.
 
Our Heritage Gallery innovatively illuminates the history of the team through artifacts and multimedia exhibits and leads perfectly into the active In the Game Gallery on the lower level. Your visit will end reliving the memories of the 49ers five Super Bowl Championships in front of the Lombardi Trophies.
 
For moreinformation, please visit LevisStadium.com/Museum/.
Media Contact
Alexandra Kenway
Senior Corporate Communications Manager
Alexandra.Kenway@49ers.com

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