It’s Super Bowl Sunday, and I grew up loving football with my dad Walt Strosser, a legendary high school football coach. My hubby is an assistant football coach and all five boys in this blended family played the game.

My oldest has been a San Francisco 49er fan since he was a tot. We’ve been to San Diego — but not San Francsco, and today our hearts are close to San Francisco — hoping for a win over the Baltimore Ravens.

My son has had a 49ers baseball cap every year that I can remember. They aren’t easy to find around here. He started as a fan in the glory years of Jerry Rice and Steve Young.  He lives in Virginia, and I know his girlfriend has already taken care of the hat for this year.

One of my daughter’s friends loves the team too. It’s kind of in the family — except for my youngest’s love of Green Bay Packers — but even he is rooting for San Francisco today.

I don’t know much about the players for either team in today’s game. But I do know the coaches are brothers. That in itself is an interesting story.

Tony Bennett, will hopefully sing “I left my heart in San Francisco” at some point during today’s festivities. If not, watch the video of a 1960s version here. And here’s his 1982 version on Johnny Carson. It’s associated more with the San Francisco Giants than the Niners, but who doesn’t love Tony Bennett? He first sang the song in 1961.

Good luck to both teams, and Go Niners!

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa. She is the mom of three, stepmom to three and step-grandmom to one.  Her oldest son has been a San Francisco 49er fan for more than 20 years. 

Whether it was advice for me or for kids, here are some precious one-liners that make me thank all the dads I know.

1. “Don’t make the same mistake twice.” — My dad Walt Strosser
2. “Clean up after yourself, and don’t be an idiot to everyone else.” — My husband Kim Parker
3. “You can’t fly with the eagles by day and roost with the owls by night.” — My dad Walt Strosser
4. “Don’t ask your kids why they did something stupid — they don’t have an answer.” — My brother Dr. Walt Strosser
5. “You don’t have to like everyone you work with, but you do have to be respectful.” — A former boss and dad
6. “Just slow down your life — really. Just take your time.” — A 80+-year-old tennis friend, doctor and dad
7. “If you make the wrong career decision this time out, you’ll make the right one next time. Go for it.” — Charlie Pittman
8. “Always say something nice first, and then explain what the problem is and don’t make it personal — it works with kids, spouses, coworkers — everyone.” — Whoever the Time Incorporated team leader was who taught me one of the greatest lessons I ever learned.
9. “Don’t ever burn bridges.” — My dad Walt Strosser
10. “Your mom will always be my little girl, and you better be good to her.” — My dad Walt Strosser said this to my kids — the look on their faces was priceless.

Pam Parker is an award-winning writer and editor for Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa.