Kyle Williams isn’t the only 49ers player who looks at this week’s game with the Giants as a chance at redemption.
From top to bottom of the 49ers roster, there’s a pain that came with last year’s loss in the NFC Championship Game that they can’t shake.
“You can’t help but be bitter,” safety Donte Whitner told Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com.
That feeling ruined what was a remarkable turnaround season for the 49ers, killing the joy of a seven-win improvement. For long-timers such as Frank Gore, who were making their first playoff appearance, the sting is still there.
It was so bad Gore skipped the perk most players dream of — a trip to the Pro Bowl.
“I didn’t want to be around football for a little bit,” Gore said. “When you get that close and you feel like you’re the better team and it didn’t happen for you, it’s real tough. It took a while to get over.”
A win Sunday would help. But only a true rematch in January would salve some of the wounds.