But that doesn’t mean the message stemming from Shanahan’s spur of the moment midnight film session didn’t wind up getting through. It didn’t have a play quite like Eric Davis’s pick-six to open the game, or a dramatic touchdown like Jerry Rice’s 28-yarder to make it 31–14 with eight seconds left in the first half. Now, Niners 23, Cowboys 17 may have lacked the aesthetic flair, and stakes, that the ‘94 Niners’ win had. Our guys definitely understood the moment.” “And even though those guys don’t know the rivalry, this is what the moment’s about. That’s why he’s in the Niners’ Hall of Fame.’ Ricky Watters wasn’t even in San Fran that many years, but what he did in the playoffs is why you see him at every event.
Deion and Michael, they were probably 25 at that time, just like you guys are. And I was just like, ‘Guys, that’s what Sunday is for you. “And I go, ‘The crazy thing is when I look back at it, all these guys are you guys’ age.’ I didn’t realize that at the time, but it was these playoff games that made these guys heroes to people and inspired everybody. “These guys were my heroes growing up,” Shanahan continued.
