The San Francisco 49ers returned to the Bay Area Monday afternoon following their crushing overtime loss in Sunday's Super Bowl.
The team's plane landed at San Jose Mineta International Airport just after 1:30 p.m. Players, coaches and staff then boarded buses for Levi's Stadium.
It wasn’t quite the hero's welcome the 49ers or their fans had hoped for, but the quiet and low-key return still contained a lot of pride, congratulations and some bittersweet pain.
Fans who showed up to welcome the Niners home said it was important to do so.
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"To thank them, to be here when they arrive, to thank them for such a wonderful season," Erika said. "It’s been good family memories. We’ve had a great, great season."
Some players waved to the fans who lined the entrance at Levi's Stadium.
"We're just here to show our support and say what a great season, what a great year, and show our fandom," Mike Peterson said.
Players got off their buses near the locker room. Most headed to their cars and drove home.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan made it a point to drive by and wave to fans.
"Even though I feel like crap, I think I need to support the team by being here, showing them that regardless if they win or lose, us fans are here to welcome them back home," Ken Guanga said.
