49ers notebook: Eddie DeBartolo wowed by new stadium

SANTA CLARA - Eddie DeBartolo Jr. helped build the 49ers’ dynasty. But the former team owner had never set foot in Levi’s Stadium until Monday, when he came to help induct Charles Haley into the 49ers Hall of Fame.

“I’m blown away,” DeBartolo said, looking around the sweeping, high-tech stadium. “I told the guys earlier, it’s like Star Wars. This is first time I was here, and they did a fantastic job. Jed and his team need all the credit in the world, because this is just an unbelievable, unbelievable stadium.”

DeBartolo said he was “flabbergasted, honored and surprised” that Haley, who also had a highly successful run with the Dallas Cowboys would ask his 49ers boss to introduce him at Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in August.

“The biggest mistake I ever made was not stopping the trade,” DeBartolo told the Press Democrat. “He couldn’t get along with George (Seifert, the 49ers head coach), and he had a problem with Carmen (Policy, the general manager) at times. I think that it probably cost us at least one Super Bowl. And I know it sure helped the Cowboys.”

DeBartolo acknowledged it was a difficult offseason for the 49ers, beginning with the departure of coach Jim Harbaugh, but he didn’t sound worried about the effect it had on his nephew, current team CEO Jed York.

“Oh, I talk to Jed, but you know what? He’s his own man,” DeBartolo said. “I talked to him a lot more years ago. He made a decision. You know, Harbaugh went his way. He’s happy, he’s coaching Michigan. They wanted to go in a different direction here. … But they’ll rebuild. Truthfully, I think they still have a damn good football team.”

HAYNE PLANE TAKES OFF

Australia held its breath. America leaned forward in its seat. Rugby players everywhere felt a rush of pride. And Jarryd Hayne dropped the ball.

Hayne, the Aussie rugby star who is getting a crack with the 49ers, took the field for the first time to return a punt with 3:33 to play in the first quarter Monday. But he never got a chance to return it. Hayne dove forward for a short kick, and the ball went through his hands and off his knee. Minnesota’s Audie Cole recovered the fumble.

Hayne did get more chances, and his evening improved. His best play came in the second quarter when he caught a flare pass on third-and-19. He didn’t pick up the first down, but he left the Vikings’ Terence Newman on the ground with a juke.

HALEY OF A NIGHT

Haley, the only five-time Super Bowl winner (two with the 49ers, three with the Cowboys), was honored with not one ceremony but two on Monday.

First the Pro Football Hall of Fame paid its respects during the pregame for his recent induction. And at halftime, the team welcomed him into the 49ers Hall of Fame, which is housed at Levi’s.

There to mark the occasion were several other Niners who are enshrined in Canton, including Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Jimmy Johnson and Dave Wilcox.