By MIKE BROWN Sports Writer on Jan 31, 2013, at 10:44 PM Updated on 1/31 at 10:44 PM
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WNBA rivals Courtney Paris and Renee Montgomery are football fans who will be on opposites Sunday for Super Bowl XLVII.
Since they’re both playing overseas during the WNBA’s offseason, WBNA director of communications Ron Howard thought it would be fun to get an email banter going between them.
Paris, the Tulsa Shock center and former University of Oklahoma All-American, was almost literally born to cheer for the San Francisco 49ers.
“My dad played most of his career (with the 49ers) and I grew up in the Bay Area, so it’s just my nature to cheer for them, especially with the dynasty they had back in the 80’s and 90’s,” Paris said in quotes provided by the WNBA.
William ‘Bubba’ Paris, was an offensive lineman for eight seasons with the 49ers, part of Super Bowl championship teams in 1985, 1989 and 1990.
San Francisco won four Super Bowls with Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana at the controls and became the first team to win five when Steve Young led them to the title in 1995.
Asked Paris: “How could I – or anyone, for that matter – not be a 49ers fan?”
Montgomery, a member of the Connecticut Sun, isn't a 49ers fan. She will be pulling for her good friend, Ravens running back Ray Rice.
“I’ve been a Ravens fan since . . . they drafted (Rice, in 2009),” Montgomery said. “I’ve got a custom-fitted Ravens jersey; I treat it like a super exclusive pair of shoes. I don’t wear it often, only on special occasions. The Super Bowl will be one of those occasions.”
Paris plays for Adana Botas in the Turkish league and leads her team, averaging 19.3 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. Montgomery plays for Nadezhda Orenburg in the Russian League.
Where will they be on Super Sunday?
Said Paris: “I will be in Adana, Turkey, either attending or hosting a Super Bowl party.”
Montgomery said she has "a big game vs. Spartak. A couple of the players on their team are fellow WNBA players Seimone Augustus, Candice Dupree, and Becky Hammon. So hopefully I can have two big wins that day."
The women were asked who is the more attractive head coach -- the Ravens’ John Harbaugh or younger brother Jim Harbaugh of the 49ers?
Montgomery said she first had to google pictures because she had never thought about it before.
“But after doing that, of course I’m going with the Ravens’ coach, John,” she said.
Paris said, “Aside from looking dashing in 49ers gear, you have to go with the younger brother.”
Paris said the Ravens will have to be constantly aware of the big-play capability of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. He rallied his team to a 28-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC championship game.
“He’s a threat on all levels and from anywhere on the field. He can throw any range and with the right touch; not to mention, he can turn designed running plays into huge gains or make a defense pay when things break down,” she said.
Montgomery said it’s not complicated what the 49ers have most to fear from the Ravens.
“Hey diddle diddle, Ray Rice up the middle,” she said.
Baltimore seeks its second Super Bowl crown, and many fans hope Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis will go out on a winning note. The two-time NFL defensive player of the year announced his planned retirement earlier in the playoffs.
Said Paris: “Although it would be a story book ending for Ray Lewis, it’s just not going to happen. Sorry Ray. . . . Oh, and sorry, Renee!”
-- Mike Brown
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