49ERS STRIKE GOLD Despite his size, Webster playing big as he lives out lifelong dream of playing in the NFL By Rusty Burson

In April 2000, former San Francisco 49ers vice president/general manager Bill Walsh came under considerable scrutiny by some Bay Area media outlets for using a second-round draft pick to select a little-known – at least on the left coast – 5-foot-8 cornerback.

Walsh, the engineer of the Niners’ revival in the 1980s, didn’t even bother at the time to address the media concerns regarding the diminutive defensive back. He just had a good gut feeling about this Jason Webster kid. Kind of like the feeling he had about that Joe Montana guy the Niners had "wasted" a third-round pick on in 1979.

Walsh is often mild-mannered. But if you want to ruffle the Hall of Fame coach’s feathers, second-guessing his personnel decisions is a good way to do it.

Jason Webster continues to impress the 49ers brass, including Bill Walsh.

Perhaps that’s why Walsh felt compelled last Nov. 19 to hold a rare, impromptu press conference as he made his way off the playing surface at 3Com Park following the 49ers’ 16-6 win over the Falcons. Webster had just posted two tackles, broken up two passes and returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown.

Webster became the first 49ers rookie since Tim McKyer in 1986 to score on an interception, and Walsh made it a point to remind the media Webster was his guy.

"I don’t think size matters that much anymore," Walsh told a Bay Area newspaper. "(Webster) is quick. He’s explosive. The way the game is today, you’d better be quick. He plays the game the way it should be played."

Indeed, 49ers fans and followers are quickly learning what Walsh and Texas A&M faithful have known for quite some time: "J-Web" is an impact player in ever sense of the word. That applies to his knack for big plays and his fearless, ferocious nature in making tackles.

During his rookie season, Webster started 10 games at cornerback and led the Niners with 13 passes broken up. And this year, he’s off to an even better start.

Webster and fellow second-year cornerback Ahmed Plummer have quickly become strengths of the San Francisco defense, becoming building blocks for years to come.

"Those kids just work," 49ers defensive coordinator Jim Mora said of Webster and Plummer. "They always want to be working, and they are growing up quickly."

Through the first four games of the season, Webster ranked third on the 49ers in terms of total tackles and recorded a big sack Oct. 1 against the New York Jets in his first-ever appearance on Monday Night Football. He then followed up that game with a six-tackle, one-interception performance against Carolina in another nationally televised game.

Obviously, Webster has played a major role in the 49ers’ impressive start in 2001. A team that went just 6-10 last year now seems quite capable of making a run to the playoffs.

The soft-spoken Webster, who grew up in the Houston area as a big 49ers fan, says he is enjoying every minute of the 2001 season.

"Now that I’m playing with (the 49ers) it’s like a dream come true, and I’m trying to take advantage of this dream," Webster said. "Plus, things just seem so much more comfortable now that I’m in my second season. I’m starting to get into the groove a little bit. I’m having fun out there, and things are going well for me."

And not just on the football field. Webster says his professional life is good, but his personal life is better than he could have ever imagined.

Webster was recently married to his long-time friend, Ayeshia. The two met at Willowridge High School, but went their separate ways in college. While Ayeshia was at Vanderbilt and Webster at A&M, they rarely talked.

But last November, they ran into each other again and began talking. Webster says instantly knew she was the one.

Webster won the Aggie Heart Award after the 1999 season.

"We didn’t have a long distance relationship or anything like that," he said. "The first time we really got the talk was in November of last year. I can’t even explain how wonderful it went then. She is a great woman of God, and our marriage is incredible. I never imagined married life being this good, this fulfilling.

"Being married to her is one of the best feelings in the world. Next to salvation in Christ it is the most blessed feeling I’ve ever encountered. The Lord has really blessed me and our marriage."

Like he did at A&M, Webster has quickly become one of the spiritual leaders on the 49ers. But unlike A&M, Webster says it’s no longer much of a family environment in the locker room.

It’s a business, he quickly points out. The game is still the same, but everything else surrounding it is much different.

"I just thank the Lord for the opportunity to play in the NFL," he said. "I’ve got a lot of friends and a lot of people that I know who would love to have this opportunity. It’s something that I enjoy doing. But now it’s my job more than just something I love to do.

"It’s kind of hard to explain, but there definitely isn’t that same camaraderie in the locker room as there was at A&M. And the fans, well, I miss the A&M fans. In the NFL, sometimes the stadium isn’t even full. But I can’t remember one home game when Kyle Field wasn’t full – not even on the rainy games. I always appreciated the A&M fans when I was there, but I’ve learned to appreciate them even more now that I’ve been in the league for a couple of years."

Webster was certainly a fan-favorite during his playing days for the Aggies. He helped the Aggies win a Big 12 title in 1998, leading the A&M secondary in pass breakups and grabbing a pair of interceptions.

Then, as a senior in 1999, Webster earned All-Big 12 honors after making 74 tackles and four interceptions. He was also the recipient of the ’99 Aggie Heart Award, the most coveted honor given to A&M players.

But perhaps his most important role during his time at A&M was the influence he had on teammates. In fact, current Aggies like Ty Warren, Bethel Johnson and others still list Webster as their role model – on and off the field.

He is a spiritual rock, a model citizen and – pound for pound – one of the hardest hitters in Wrecking Crew history. The fearless nature he displayed on the football field at A&M is still a part of his game in the NFL.

Of course, Webster acknowledges it was put to the test right away when he arrived at his first mini-camp with the 49ers. Webster lined up at one cornerback spot, looked across the line of scrimmage and saw one of his childhood heroes, Jerry Rice.

"I just had to try to put out of my mind who he was and look at him as just another player I was working against," Webster said of Rice, who is now with the Oakland Raiders. "But it was helpful for me to go up against him and see him work.

"Looking at (Rice) and some other guys, I realize the NFL is whatever you make out of it. If you work hard, take care of your body and you’re aware of your opponent and study film, you can be in the league for a long time. And I’d like to be in the league for a long time."

Webster and his wife, however, have no plans of making California their permanent home. They have an apartment in San Jose, but are working on finding a permanent residence back in the Houston area.

"There’s no place like home, I’ll tell you that," Webster said when asked about how he liked San Francisco. "The weather’s nice, but it’s expensive out here. It’s a chance of a lifetime, though. I hadn’t been to California before I got drafted by the Niners, but I always wanted to come out here. I had the opportunity to come out here and see some sites in California that I’ve always wanted to see.

"I miss home, but we’ll be back there soon enough. Right now, I’ve got a job to do here with the 49ers, and I want to do it to the best of my ability and prove I belong on this level."

Mission accomplished. Just ask Bill Walsh or the Bay Area media outlets who are now raving about the diminutive guy from Texas A&M.