NinerMania
Two Fans climb THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE to hang “Go 49ers” banner for Superbowl XIX, 1985
On January 19, 1985, a wintery morning before dawn, a grey compact sedan stopped on the nearly deserted Golden Gate Bridge, fogged in with windy damp cold. Two men jumped out and the blonde driving the car sped away. The pair, with straps dangling from their waists, raced to the base of North tower on the Marin County side. The foghorn moaned its warning, “uhhhh-unnnhhh.” Shivering, they glanced around, hesitated, scrambled over the rail, hoisted themselves up onto the large ocean-side suspension cable, carabinered into the hand-height lines, and began their slippery dangerous climb. This was the day before Super Bowl Sunday. The men’s goal—the very top of the famed Bridge. In their backpack nestled an enormous “GO 49ers” banner.
49er Fever
The media called it “NinerMania” and “49er Fever” for good reason. At the end of the 1984 season, the greatest season in San Francisco 49ers history, 49er Fever was indeed gripping the Bay Area. The 1980 Oakland Raiders primed fans with their second Super Bowl win in 1981. The 49ers won their first Super Bowl for the 1981 season, and fans were crushed when losing the Championships to the Redskins to sit out the Super Bowl for the ’82 season (Redskins beat the Dolphins.) ‘83 was a building year and now the 49ers were heading to the showdown against Dan Marino’s Miami Dolphins with 9ers home field advantage at Stanford Stadium.
Included on the 1984 49er roster – the legendary greats: Coach Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Roger Craig, Dwight “The Catch” Clark, Ronnie Lott, Keena Turner, Eric Wright, Dwight Hicks, Wendell Tyler, Freddie Solomon, Russ Francis, Randy Cross, Hacksaw Reynolds, Bubba Paris, and others. 1984 was a season of firsts and special events. With Bill Walsh, 49ers were the first team ever to make a 15-1 record. The icing on the cake for the fans- the Division game (against Giants), the Championship game (decisive shut out of the Bears), and the Super Bowl, were all played in the Bay area.
After winning of the NFC West playoffs, San Francisco, normally a reserved sports town, went wild. After winning the Championship playoff, the celebration became more frenzied. Honking horns and hanging out windows, huge throngs of people soon took over the city streets, celebrating, banging pots and pans, blocking intersections in North Beach, the Mission, and Union Street.
This was the only the second time a team could have been considered a home team for a Super Bowl with Stanford just 30 miles away from San Francisco. (L.A. Rams lost XIV at the Rose Bowl) The 49er team had even recorded a 45-pop single entitled “We’re the 49ers.”
Their rival – the Miami Dolphins, led by golden boy Dan Marino, made a 1984 record for season passing yards that would hold for 27 years. (In a parallel event during the 2011 season, Marino’s record was surpassed by another golden boy, Drew Brees of the Saints. The 2010 Niners, against the odds, beat the Brees’s Saints, in the nail-biter January, 2012 Championship Playoffs.) As the ’84 Dolphins advanced to the Super Bowl for the fifth time, much of the media’s focus was on the Dolphins Coach Don Schula and his spectacular young quarterback Dan Marino. This irritated both 9ers and fans alike, making them even more determined.
The 1984 season had really raised the temperature of 49er Fever. Everyone knew this team, this season, this Super Bowl was special. The Faithful knew we were going to win. Fans wearing number 16 jerseys and 49er garb were everywhere chanting “We’re number one!” Huge Niner parties and bar events were all the rage. In the early eighties The Bus Stop on Union Street led the charge of the new concept of “sports bars” with multiple TVs. With 49er Fever, yuppie fern bars and dive bars alike had been re-inventing themselves as “sports bars.”
The 1985 Super Bowl would be one of the most watched games in history. It was the first time the commercials cost a million dollars a minute, due in part, to the success of the mind boggling, Ridley Scott directed, Apple Mac ad “1984”, during the 1984 Super Bowl. Ronald Reagan, a CA native, would be the first president to participate in a coin toss – (via satellite from White House) on the day of his second term inauguration. Promotion for the Super Bowl also contributed to the San Francisco fever, with many photographs of the Vince Lombardi trophy near San Francisco landmarks, particularly the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Ultimate Super Bowl Shenanigan
December 1984 – two San Francisco Financial District executive recruiters, and 49er fans, were having lunch at the now, late lamented Clown Alley on Columbus Avenue. Michael Loftus and John King, both around thirty years old, were in the grip of Niner Fever and excited about the first ever, local Super Bowl. Like many faithful fans, neither man had a scarce, pricey ticket. Many long-time season ticket holders had even lost out in the 49er lottery.
NinerMania was abounding in the news. Several fans had painted their vehicles in Niner red and gold. Another painted an enormous satellite dish with a football and Niner colors. Reading the Chronicle and munching his burger, Loftus remarked, “If we can’t go to the game, we should do something crazy like that for the 49ers.” The fuse was lit. They brainstormed some 49er feverish ideas, including unfurling a banner from the top of the Pyramid building, or placing a giant papier-mache football, ready for a kick, under the outstretched finger of huge statue of Father Junipero Serra at the Highway 280 rest stop.
Perhaps it was the Super Bowl promo Bridge photo with the Lombardi trophy in the foreground. Perhaps it was the recent filming of Roger Moore’s very last James Bond film, A View to a Kill, and the publicity surrounding the only Bond scenes ever set in San Francisco. Promotional Bond events were staged at Coit Tower and City Hall with local celebs such as Herb Caen. More importantly, the movie’s climactic fight scene with psycho-villain Christopher Walken was shot on location: the vertiginous top of the Golden Gate Bridge. King mused, “I have always wanted to climb the Golden Gate Bridge.” Loftus was enthusiastic and thought it the perfect icon. By the end of their chiliburgers, they had hatched the plan to climb the Bridge and hang a Go 49ers banner from the top of the tower.
Over the next few days, they worked on the scheme. The men had no climbing experience. Climbing wall clubs did not exist. They had never scaled a structure. The pair originally thought to pull the stunt on Super Bowl Sunday, but then reconsidered, not wanting to stall traffic for fans traveling to the game or parties. Instead, they chose the Saturday before.
It was almost Super Bowl weekend. Vendors hawked Niner-wear in the streets. Pre-internet, the pair researched the Bridge the old-fashioned way—a recon mission on site, and in the library. A U.C. Berkeley Structural Engineering Professor provided some old black and white photos of the Bridge catwalks. The Friday night before the climb, they gathered at Loftus’s Larkin Street flat to make final preparations to scale the landmark Bridge. They pair jerry-rigged together their own climbing harnesses from nylon strapping ribbon and carabineers. King’s girlfriend, athletic San Francisco native Perry McKleroy, had briefly dated a climber during her UC Boulder co-ed days. Therefore, having “the most climbing experience” she was voted the equipment tester. Perry discovered, fortunately at ground level, that by simply pushing the safety straps knots together, made them loosen and fall off like Chinese finger cuffs. It was a reality check to how crazy this stunt was. Undeterred, they revamped the harnesses. With help from artist friend, Eric Reed, the banner was nailed to the living room wall where finishing touches were made. It was an 8 by 12 ft. vinyl banner, and proclaimed in bright, bold red paint,
“GO 49ERS.”
“49er fans’ enthusiasm takes them to new heights!” – KRON’s Kate Kelly
When Perry had dropped them off on the Bridge early that next morning, the men knew that once they were up on the cables, no one was going to get them down. But clambering onto the large suspension cable for the first time, with all their initial adrenaline, was the risky spot. As they stood on the railing, King joked the Indiana Jones sidekick’s deep-voiced line, “Very dangerous! You go first!” King pulled himself up, and Loftus followed with the backpack with the heavy banner. They agreed that if the point man “didn’t make it,” the second man could still stoically place the banner.
Above the headland’s cliffs, then high above the rocky shore, the two climbed. While the South tower rises from the Bay, the North tower is actually on shore, so the entire climb was above land. A fall into the water at seventy-five miles an hour gives a two percent chance of survival; a fall to the Bridge deck or rocks – zero. They had agreed it was best not to look down on the climb. Fortunately, the thickness of the fog mostly obscured the view. Upright small cables (attached to the vertical suspender cables) interspace the hand-height cables every fifty feet. At each upright the men would unhook and re-hook over these, one carabineer at a time, for safety.
Climbing the cable was like climbing the hypotenuse of a tall triangle, before the slope becomes steeper about three quarters to the top. Video footage shows the pair’s slow climb up the round cables – only three-foot in diameter with no flat nor level footing – onward, through the fog, the cold, the wind, the swaying, the slippery damp footing, and the rumble of the occasional heavy truck. Near the visitor center by the toll plaza is a cable section on display. There, one could test their balancing skill.
Don’t get any ideas about a copy-cat climb, because security was soon increased, then since 9/11, security increased again, which includes fencing, gates, and razor wire at cable entry points, secondary fanned security gates part way up the suspension cables. Suicide surveillance, including live security cameras, now quickly nip the nervous or strange at the start. Bridge Patrol makes frequent rounds on the sidewalks, with assault rifles available in their arsenal. Even if one made it past all that, there are rumors of anti-terrorist snipers to consider.
After the drop-off, Perry’s role was ground support. She drove on up to the Marin Headlands above the Bridge and hiked past the WWII bunkers out on the hillside closest to the tower. There, Perry met up with a cameraman and the pair watched the dangerous stunt together. Loftus had placed a call to an acquaintance at CNN’s assignment desk, John McMannus, who had sent out the cameraman. He was the source of the incredible video footage that made CNN national news, plus all the local stations and affiliates. Perry stayed in communication with John King on a pre-cell phone, walkie-talkie. “P to J – come in.” “The eagle has landed.” “All clear.” “We’re letting out the sail.”
Soon after the ascent, the men felt a sharp bounce up and down in the cable, which made them lose their footing, and stomachs lurch. They held on for dear life fearing an earthquake. After another bounce they realized that it was a natural part of the bridge’s movement. On the steepening upper slope, the footing became slippery and realized it was ice. They treaded cautiously and were glad they had bundled in ski gear and gloves. They experienced the cable side sway from wind of maybe five feet in each direction.
After about forty-five minutes of climbing the men arrived at the saddle tower top, five hundred feet above the roadway. It is 746 feet, or over seventy-five stories, above the water to the crow’s nests on the towers. It was the most dangerous spot, so they carefully unclipped.
They climbed down the fixed ladder, and steps, to the safety of the catwalk. Relieved, they took a few moments to high five, catch their breath and to enjoy the moment. They scampered the ninety feet across the catwalk and then up to the Bay side Bridge tower crow’s nest flashing beacon.
It was an exhilarating feeling. They were on top of the world. For a while, the fog was so dense that only the Bridge tower tops were visible. Suddenly a loud horn blew seemingly out of nowhere. They saw nothing. Another horn blast, and an enormous cruise ship with beautiful cabin lights aglow appeared through the fog, gliding out of the Gate to sea on its own adventure. On the Marin side, the clearing fog revealed rows of lights that sparkled like diamonds, which were light poles over Highway 101 winding through the headlands.
With the fog clearing with the morning light, they started rigging the banner. Perry, via walkie-talkie, would guide the men in hanging and adjusting the banner. This turned out to be the second most dangerous aspect. The wind was gusting so strongly it almost took the sail-like banner over the side and the men with it. The men clung to the rail. King later said, that not peeking at the grey, murky water, a Mecca for suicides, was like not peeking at Medusa. They whipped out pocketknives and frantically cut half-moon holes for wind release. They were surprised at how their seemingly huge banner was dwarfed by the scale of the Bridge. Comfortable with the height now the climbers settled in, drank their thermos of coffee, and waited for the daybreak. Even when the sun came up, the classic San Francisco fog was so thick, the sun, let alone the banner, was barely visible.
The Comedown
At 9 AM the fog finally burned off. The morning turned out to be grand and beautiful. The bright orange vermillion of the Bridge glowed in the sunlight and the banner waved proudly for all to see. Including the Bridge staff, who quickly notified the CHP. The cones came out and the Bridge was shut down to traffic. The two men, high above, felt impervious, and discussed their plans to scale back down the cables to their fate. They were in for a surprise. A CHP suddenly popped his head up out of a hatch, and two officers pulled themselves up to make the arrests. King and Loftus had not counted on the long arm of the law using the tower service elevator, which they didn’t know existed. Fortunately, once the officers realized the climbers indeed had 49er Fever, they were amicably amused. Still, the officers, obviously uncomfortable at that height, and not straying very far from the hatch, said the banner must come down. After claiming they weren’t ready, and a token argument, the men complied.
During the arrest, the men snapped a few souvenir photos with Corporal Roger and rookie Steve Moss. Although the climbers begged to be allowed to climb back down, they were only allowed to climb through the small hatch down the ten-foot fixed ladder to the service elevator. There, the backup officer waited. Loftus went down with him, and shortly King followed, crammed in with the original two officers in the phone booth size 1930’s vintage elevator. King and Loftus agreed that ride down was more frightening than the climb up. They were certainly not agoraphobic or acrophobic, but apparently claustrophobic.
News footage showed the men, not handcuffed, on the Bridge deck, giving “we’re number one” fingers, and smiling to the cheering crowd of pedestrians and stopped traffic. Some yelled “Go Niners!” Chester Simpson, a pro-photographer friend, took shots at Bridge level. Loftus and King faked running away before letting themselves into the waiting patrol car. The officers drove them the short distance along the cordoned off Bridge to the Bridge District’s CHP office next to the toll plaza. They were cited with Marin County trespassing citations, with King protesting, “Come on, can’t you give us San Francisco tickets?” The banner was confiscated, and the men were released.
The After Party
KRON’s star reporter, Don Knapp, was waiting to interview the men. With the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, John enthused, “The 49er’s actually turned me on to football. Since we couldn’t make the game, this was our way of showing our support for the 49ers.” Loftus stated, “I saw Montana play at Notre Dame. I used to go down to South Bend all the time.”
King was asked if climbing the Bridge was risky. “I would say that it was very risky. But it was something I always wanted to do.” He continued, “I had a calendar with this Bridge picture on it as a kid in the Midwest. I love this Bridge. This Bridge is why I came to California.” Loftus added, “Given 49er fever, this kind of epitomizes the whole shot, you know!” Television coverage ended with the men celebrating by popping and drinking from a bottle of champagne that had been on the climb with them.
The celebration and adventures continued for the two Bridge climbers. That evening King met his brother’s in-laws for the first time, in visiting from Texas. At the Hilton Hotel bar, when the Bridge Climb came on the TV, the Texan said, “Can you believe those —holes? We were going to Muir Woods, they made us get stuck on the Bridge for an hour!” King replied, “I was one of those —holes.”
On Super Bowl Sunday the 49ers won a huge victory over the Dolphins, 38-16. The 49ers became the only team to have won the Super Bowl at home.
The After-After Party
That crazy night after the win, both men were local celebs and everywhere they went, free drinks flowed for them. Michael Loftus, after celebrating with the rest of the city, and finally on his way home at a North Beach bus stop, two men pulled a gun on him asking for his wallet. Quickly thinking, he asked the two men, “You have any idea who I am?” and pulled out a photo of him on the Bridge. The robbers said, “You’re that crazy, mofo!” and “Go Niners!” They let him keep his wallet.
The trespassing fine—was a worthwhile $35 each. An attorney friend attempted to get the banner back, to no avail. By contrast, one can consider the treatment, consequences, charges, and fines that would be levied today. In 1997 Quentin Kopp successfully stumped for the fine to be increased to $10,000 and up to one year in jail. Those who caused the Bridge traffic to be blocked also faced civil suits. Federal charges could be invoked.
At one of the many 49er victory celebrations, Perry McKleroy was thrilled when she sat next to Joe Montana on a San Francisco cable car ride. Ding-ding.
A 49er P.R. staffer met with and proposed an undisclosed arrangement to King over sushi. The offer was declined.
James Bond’s A View to a Kill was shot in San Francisco and premiered May 1985 with a gala party at the Palace of Fine Arts. The theatrical promos and posters featured Bond and blonde on the Golden Gate Bridge’s cable.
John King couldn’t resist a follow up act. He sneaked past tight security into the theater. He wore a (description withheld) costume, only to strip it off inside, true to James Bond style, revealing his tuxedo. He drank champagne with Roger Moore, Dolph Lundgren and Christopher Walken. Two years later, King married Perry, his Golden Gate Bridge climb sweetheart.
END
Postscript
The Kings would later meet a number of the 49er’s winning players including Joe Montana. Roger Craig, Dwight Clark, Mike Moroski, Dan Bunz, and Mike Schumann. Perry King is a Pilates Fitness Trainer in Marin County, CA. Loftus is a freelancer and writer in L.A.’s TV and film industry. King is a writer, poet, and editor-in-chief of the Mill Valley Literary Review. Loftus and King remain friends.
The King’s son, Nick, was raised a sports fan. His first word was “ball.” He would become a Redwood High (Larkspur, CA) football star, receive a scholarship to UC Davis, and become a top player as Defensive End there. Nick’s post-college housemate was Eric Bakhtiari, 49er’s D.E. (twice), after stints with Titans, Dolphins and Chiefs. Eric’s brother David Bakhtiari, plays with the Packers. Nick’s high school teammate, Cooper Helfet, played T.E. with Seahawks after Duke. Another teammate’s brother is Travis LeBoy who played twice with the Niners, and the Cards.
See YouTube music video of the bridge climb here.
A version of this story appeared in SFGATE available here.
“In 1985, two guys climbed to the top of the Golden Gate Bridge and hung a 49ers banner” Feb 2, 2020