SANTA CLARA -- One of the big obstacles that kept Jimmy Garoppolo sidelined for his first three games with the 49ers was adapting to his new team’s terminology.
Learning the language of Kyle Shanahan’s playbook was one thing. Learning how to properly address the 49ers’ fan base provided another learning moment this week.
Garoppolo will make his first start at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. After back-to-back road victories at Chicago and Houston, Garoppolo said he is looking forward to playing in front of his home fans.
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“It’ll be fun,” Garoppolo said. “Our home fans -- ‘The Faithful,’ I found out, got some heat for that, for saying, ‘49ers Nation.’ But, ‘The Faithful,’ they’re an awesome fan base. It’ll be fun to get in front of them this Sunday.”
Garoppolo said he received some feedback this week from a friend who was monitoring Garoppolo’s mentions on social media after the 49ers' victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday. Garoppolo referred to the overwhelming support the team received at NRG Stadium in their 26-16 victory.
"I mean, 49ers Nation, I said it in the locker room before it was loud out there," Garoppolo said on Sunday. "There were a couple of 49ers chants that you heard. I was shocked this being the first time I’ve really seen that. It’s impressive how well they travel. That just makes it great and gives up that much more energy on the sideline.”
The reaction was swift, and Garoppolo set out to correct his error Wednesday during his next appearance in front of the media.
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“My friend sent me a couple of tweet reactions,” Garoppolo said. “They didn’t get on me, it was in a good way. I don’t know who they were specifically. My friends in a group text all texted me like, ‘Man you’ve got to get this right. Come on, these are your fans now.’ So it was just a little funny thing.”