Community Corner

Former Serra Coach, SF 49er Jesse Freitas Sr. Dies At 99

Serra High School's football field is named in honor of the coaching legend.

SAN MATEO, CA — Former Serra High School coaching legend and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jesse Freitas Sr. died Monday morning at his San Diego home at the age of 99, The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Freitas was an original member of the 49ers’ 1946 inaugural team before going on to Serra, where he coached multiple sports and served as a classroom teacher.

“Former Serra legendary football coach Jesse Freitas passed away Monday morning. He was 99,” Serra High officials said on the school’s official Twitter page.

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“In the 1950s, he joined the Serra staff, coaching baseball, basketball, football and was a classroom teacher. Serra’s football field is named in his honor. Rest in Peace, Coach Freitas.”

Freitas was the second-oldest living NFL player at the time of his death, the report said.

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Freitas played two seasons for the 49ers in the All-America Football Conference.

“The 49ers are saddened to learn of the passing of Jesse Freitas Sr., a QB on our inaugural 1946 team,” the 49ers tweeted.

“Freitas later served as the head football coach at Junipero Serra HS & was inducted into the San Mateo County Sports HOF in 1995. We send our deepest condolences to his family.”

Freitas died of cancer, according to the report.

Serra’s football field is named in his honor.

Originally from Red Bluff (Tehama County), Freitas was a decorated U.S. Army veteran. He earned a Bronze Star during World War II and commanded an artillery unit at the Battle of the Bulge, the report said.

Freitas also played quarterback and defensive back at Santa Clara University and coached briefly at College of San Mateo.

Freitas compiled a 102-49-3 record in 17 seasons as Serra’s football coach according to the report. He coached the Padres to seven league championships, three of which were in the West Catholic Athletic League, the report said.

He coached a 1968 team that featured three future NFL players, Lynn Swann, Tom Scott and Jesse Freitas Jr.

Freitas Jr. would eventually follow his father's footsteps as an NFL quarterback.

He led the nation in passing one year at San Diego State and was drafted by the San Diego Chargers. He played two years in San Diego behind future Hall of Famer Dan Fouts, who played high school football at St. Ignatius, Serra’s WCAL archrival.

Freitas Jr. died in 2015.

Read more in The San Jose Mercury News


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