Growing up in an Atlanta suburb, a young Sean McVay was drawn to the 49ers for obvious reasons.
His grandfather, John McVay, was a longtime executive with the club. He served instrumental roles as a personnel man and voice of reason, often becoming a diplomat in conflicts between owner Eddie DeBartolo and coach Bill Walsh. McVay is enshrined in the 49ers Hall of Fame.
Sean McVay recalls sitting on the bus with offensive lineman Jesse Sapolu as the 49ers received a police escort to a Saturday walk-through to the Georgia Dome during a time when San Francisco and the Atlanta Falcons played twice a year as members of the NFC West.