Tampa, FL-- University of Tampa football legend Freddie Solomon was remembered Monday as a great man, a humble man, and for his accomplishments more off the field than on.
His funeral services at St. Lawrence Catholic Church were attended by hundreds of friends, family members, and former teammates from college and the NFL.
They packed into the church and adjoining chapel to hear speakers praise his contributions to children in the community. Among those who delivered eulogies were Freddie's brother, Roger Solomon, long-time Bay Area sportscaster Dick Crippen, former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo, Jr., and Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee.
"Never has one man touched so many people," said Roger Solomon.
"I've never encountered a better human being in my life," said Eddie DeBartolo, Jr.
"His legacy will be not what he did on the football field, but what he did off the football field," said former 49ers teammate Roger Craig. "That's what so powerful about today, when you see all the people from the sheriff's office... A lot of former teammates and people in the community... Freddie is a great man."
Jerry Rice replaced Freddie Solomon in the 49ers lineup, and became the great receiver in NFL history.
"He knew I was coming in to replace him, and still he took me under his wing. But that's Freddie. He would say, 'Jerry, this is what you have to do to become a professional athlete'. He knew that he was passing that torch on. I've done my best to try and follow in his footsteps."
Freddie Solomon died Feb. 13 of cancer at the age of 59. He is survived by his wife, Dee.
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