49ers legend Joe Staley becomes NBC Sports Bay Area analyst

SANTA CLARA — Joe Staley wasn’t certain the place to go after 49ers follow Thursday. The locker room he known as residence for 13 years is now off-limits to him.

That’s as a result of Staley has change into a media member, and solely team-employed media are allowed within the locker room due to the NFL’s COVID protocol.

So, certain sufficient, Staley joined the press convention.

He formally debuted in his NBC Sports activities Bay Space position by launching the primary query to George Kittle. Staley tried to faucet into his infamous good humor by asking Kittle a rambling query — full with their Canadian-acent bit from previous seasons — earlier than finally asking why Kittle thought of him a favourite teammate.

Kittle responded that Staley taught him to “ignore the media” and out of doors noise.

After which, silence. Their comedy routine flatlined. Kittle begged for different questions from different reporters, one in every of which led again to Staley’s presence.

“I simply wish to hug him,” Kittle mentioned. “I don’t know if I can reply questions. I’ll reply them into his ear.”

Kittle and Staley certainly hugged it out, with the slimmed-down Staley hoisting his 250-pound ex-teammate into the air.

.@jstaley74 was so proud to announce himself as a media member however @gkittle46 couldn’t take him critical 🤣 pic.twitter.com/DrbJW7oJHw

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) August 26, 2021

Every week in the past, he was embedded with the 49ers in Orange County and tried his hand at coaching throughout their joint practices with the Los Angeles Chargers.

On the time, Staley was anticipated to pursue an NBC Sports activities Bay Space position, and he primarily replaces former 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia on the pre- and post-game reveals.

Staley retired in April 2020, citing a neck situation that hindered him all through Tremendous Bowl LIV. He at the moment lives in northern San Diego County together with his spouse and their two daughters.