SAN JOSE – Longtime 49ers fan Jesse Mendez can prove he’s a proud member of the Faithful many times over.
Whether it’s his impressive setup tailgating at each home game, the number of times he’s traveled to watch the team play, or all the signed jerseys that make up his large collection of gear and souvenirs at home.
“This is for me, for tailgating this is where all the magic happens. It’s an eight-burner grill. We cook a lot of food for a lot of people out there at the tailgate,” Mendez told KPIX while showing off the equipment in his backyard.
He says that as an official “Early Tailgater” he has access to the parking lot before most people and can usually be the first person in around 6:00 a.m.
Throughout the day, he will cook for 150 people and may see around 400 people show up to their tailgate.
“It’s been forever, you know, this is this lifelong thing right here,” he said of his love for the team.
While the pride shines for the team outside his home with signs and two cars themed for the Niners. Mendez’s collection inside his house and his home office is on another level with more than 60 jerseys.