Ricky Watters: For His Family, For the Fans, For Football

1 of 7

Mandatory Credit: Jay Dela Cruz, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — After filming a live segment of 49ers Central for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Ricky Watters found himself standing in La Capra Coffee, a rather small cafe sitting adjacent to the lobby outside CSN’s headquarters. Along with him was Jay Dela Cruz, the Senior Director of Communications for CSN.

And then there was me — severely overdressed and completely flooded with anxiety.

More from Golden Gate Sports

Of course I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t mention that I normally get a bit nervous before interviews, but this feeling, this particular state of anxiety, was the furthest thing from what normally comes over me.

The reason being was the only information I had on Watters as a San Francisco 49ers running back had been gathered just the week before; not that I was unprepared, but I hadn’t analyzed, let alone played a competitive game of American football in quite a long time.

So when Golden Gate Sports’ very own Maggie Pilloton came to me with the prospect of interviewing Watters, I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity, but I knew very well I would be pushed WAY out of the comfort zone that basketball has provided me these past couple years. Watters’ prime had also been before my time, so really the only Ricky Watters I knew was the one I had seen on TV as an analyst and the energetic showman I had seen in Youtube highlight videos.

After the cashier let us know that their kitchen had closed, Watters took his time looking over the chalkboard menu before deciding on a chai latte. Dela Cruz had graciously offered to pay for everything, so I took the opportunity to order myself a hot chocolate to combat the cold sting in the air leftover by the rain.

“Alright, you ready?” I asked Watters after we had both taken our seats next to one of the tables overlooking the lobby.

He answered with an affirming “mhm” as he took the first sip of his latte, smiling and nodding his head.

Next: Meeting Ricky Watters