The DeBartolo-York families are heading to their eighth Super Bowl as owners of the San Francisco 49ers.

They have five Vince Lombardi Trophies and will vie for their sixth Sunday against Kansas City.

Dr. John York, co-chairman of the franchise along with his wife, Denise DeBartolo-York are excited to get to this point.

"It's always exciting," Dr. York told 21 Sports from his Boardman office. "I remember the first one , back in 1981 and everyone since. You go in, cross your fingers and play as hard as you can and one team comes out with a trophy."

A win over Kansas City would tie the Steelers & Patriots with six Super Bowl wins. 

The York's son, Jed, has taken over the daily operations of the franchise and this will be his third super bowl as CEO. "He's taken the reigns and remained humble," said Dr. York, adding, "we're very close and I appreciate everything he's done, both in the success on the field, and growing the business."

When asked if its difficult to sit back and watch Jed run the franchise Dr. York said, " I've had 11 or 12 NFL owner, who have sons the same approximate age as Jed, and none of them have done that. I had no problem doing that because I was extremely confident in what Jed could do."

Family is a big part of the 49ers organization and employees from San Francisco to Youngstown will witness the game in person according to Dr. York. " It's always been that way and the employees here (Youngstown) are going to the Super Bowl with the DeBartolo Corporation. It's a family affair, work all year to get to this point and this is the pinnacle. So this is the time for all of us to be together and to make the most of it."

The DeBartolo York family knows the importance of the Youngstown-Warren area..

"It's terrific. Denise (DeBartolo- York) has Youngstown running through her., "said Dr. York.  

"I'm a transplant and I'm here because of her, but I've come to make Youngstown my home. All of our kids grew up here and got their education through Cardinal Mooney," he continued.

Dr. York says he was at all the regular season games this year and offered this advice after the team had to rally in the second half of their playoff games against the Lions & Packers.

"My instruction is, let's play two second halves in this game."

The 49ers and Chiefs kickoff from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday at 6:35 pm.

 

 

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