Winning With Class
Skeptic L1
sophisticated and refined interests. The Oakland Raiders has delicate tastes
too as exhibited in Quarterback Rich Gannon's off field past time of dressing
and undressing his Prince Ken Barbie Doll (which Sports Illustrated Columnist
Michael Silver described the Silver and Black signal caller as delirious to
receive the doll for his birthday).
Since the 49ers won their first two exhibition games they are: Winning With
Class.
Posted on Thu, Aug. 21, 2003
49ers fronted by a refined line
HARRIS, HEITMANN, GRAHAM SHOW AFFINITY FOR ARTS
By Daniel Brown
Mercury News
Kwame Harris is two feet away. And he is huge. He lowers his body and spreads
his arms wide.
At 6-foot-7, 310 pounds, the 49ers tackle looks ready to take on any linebacker
in the NFL.
Just then, however, Harris' fingers begin to flutter. Huge hands rise and fall
delicately in the soft summer air.
He is talking about the second movement of Beethoven Symphony No. 7.
``Early on, there is one beat all the way down in the low strings,'' Harris
said, ``and he just keeps building on top of it.''
His hands pantomime the swelling of the music.
``He brings in the basses and the cellos! It's awesome! Beethoven is telling
you how to listen to it in the way that he wrote it!''
If it seems strange that one of the biggest bodies at training camp enjoys such
refined tastes, think again. The 49ers' offensive line is the PBS of the NFL,
with a trio of players who can find their way around museums other than the one
in Canton, Ohio.
• Harris, when he isn't crashing into opposing linemen, makes sweet music on
the violin and piano.
• Left guard Eric Heitmann enjoys playing classical piano and composes
music.
• Backup guard DeMingo Graham, an art history major and fledgling collector,
is closing in on a work by Picasso.
The sports world needs another channel to cover these guys: ESPN Classical.
``People do think it's strange,'' Heitmann said. ``People see a guy who is 6-5
and 300 pounds sitting on a little piano bench and it's the last thing they
expect. I think it always strikes someone as odd that we have interests outside
of football.''
Harris and Heitmann come from Stanford. Graham studied at Hofstra, where, his
former professor said, he had a knack for writing and research.
The trio might have trouble getting seats next to each other at the opera,
considering they combine to weigh about 930 pounds, but they make for a
formidable presence on the football field.
Harris, the team's first-round pick, said that the connection between
smash-mouth football and masterpiece theater isn't as odd as it seems. He is
learning to play Beethoven's ``Pathetique'' on the piano and said he treats it
like his preparations for a hard-charging lineman. Harris has had a rough debut
in the exhibition season, giving up three sacks in two games, but he considers
it part of the learning process.
Classical music, it seems, helps him stay composed.
``I hate using cliches -- I prefer to call them axioms -- but perfect practice
makes perfect, right?'' Harris said. ``So when I practice, I always practice as
if I have an audience, as if I'm performing.
``I do the same thing in football. You learn that there are no second chances,
even in practice. You don't have time to say, `Coach, I'm sorry. I messed up.
Can I go again?' ''
Heitmann, too, understands the connection between violence and violins. He
began playing the piano at age 5 and took lessons for about six years.
``By the time I realized it was uncool to play the piano,'' he said, ``I didn't
want to give it up.''
Heitmann's repertoire grew to include pop music and rock. His favorite piece to
play remains ``Piano Man'' by Billy Joel.
These days, however, Heitmann plays mostly his own stuff -- synthesizer-based,
easy-listening music. He has created enough compositions to put together a CD
for family and friends.
``It's really good,'' Harris said. ``It definitely has a classical edge to it.
I would put it in the genre of cinema music. It's music you would hear at the
movies.''
While the two former Stanford standouts are into the sounds, Graham is into the
sights. On a lark, he began taking art history classes at Hofstra and ended up
getting hooked during one of several field trips to museums. Graham said he
likes artists from the Renaissance but also developed an appreciation for Asian
artwork.
``I'm pretty sure there are some other people in the NFL who are into art,''
said Graham, who started 11 games at left guard for the Houston Texans last
season. ``They just keep it quiet.''
George Cohen, an art history adviser, has seen several other Hofstra students
head for the NFL, including New York Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet and former
49ers Lance Schulters, Dave Fiore and Gio Carmazzi.
Still, it was a tad breathtaking for Cohen to see a 6-3, 320-pound lineman
squeezing into his seat to dissect a work by Rembrandt.
``He is huge,'' Cohen said, drawing out the ``u'' for emphasis. ``He's like
Refrigerator Perry. That's what I told him: You'll make a great refrigerator.''
Graham instead distinguished himself with his writing. Cohen said his pupil had
a knack for connecting paintings to their contemporary history and was
especially good with American impressionists.
Graham remains mountainous. In fact, he might be too big for the NFL. Coach
Dennis Erickson likes the guard's potential but said lack of mobility is a
problem. Graham, who has lost about 25 pounds since signing on June 2 and is
listed, generously, at 310, needs to lose more.
Earning a backup job, and therefore retaining an NFL salary, would allow Graham
to continue his hobby of pursuing masterworks. He said he is involved in an
online auction for a Picasso pottery piece.
Maybe Graham will eventually put together enough material to open a gallery.
His linemates, Harris and Heitmann, could even play at the opening gala.
Just make sure those piano benches can carry the load.
``I've seen some that are reinforced,'' Harris said, ``but I just kind of sit
lightly.''
49ERS: BOSS OF THE BAY
Next 49er/Raiders match up: 2006