The football season is on, and so is the rush to football-related social media.
We found the nerve center for 49ers information inside Campbell's Orchard Valley Coffee Shop, typing away at his latest football exclusive. Ryan Sakamoto, 49ers blogger extraordinaire, knocking out stories for more than 12,000 daily Facebook followers who check in on his blog, www.ninerfans.com.
Sure, being an insurance salesman pays most of Ryan's bills, but thanks to advertising and merchandise, the blog is starting to make money, too. Especially since his exclusive with Wide Receiver Quinton Patton, a player Sakamoto picked to go far before anyone else heard of him. He's since given Patton the nickname "7-11," as in Kaepernick (#7) to Patton (#11).
It's the kind of thing that helps Sakamoto rise above other bloggers. It's also the kind of thing that gets him excited about football. Not just the big score, but knowing something about everything that goes on with the 49ers. While we were talking in the coffeeshop, in walks former lineman Dave Fiore - completely unrecognized, except for Sakamoto, who jumped up to talk to him. Both of their days were made.
"it's been my passion since my parents started taking me to games when I was 8," says Sakamoto. And what's cooler, insurance, or blogging? "Come, on," he laughs. "No contest. This is awesome." Then, he closes up his laptop, off to talk football and chase another exclusive.
Scott can be found on Twitter: @scottbudman
