Ronnie Lott is staring up at the walls in his Santa Clara office, looking at framed photos of him and fellow sports greats Chris Mullin, Magic Johnson and Joe Montana.
“If you said, ‘What’s the second best thing they like?’” the 64-year-old San Francisco 49ers legend and Football Hall of Famer says of the impressive cast of characters. “The first thing is they love playing. The second thing is they love helping.”
Those same words can be said about many of the notable sports figures that Lott, a longtime South Bay resident, has known through the decades, from legendary Raiders coach John Madden to all-universe hockey talent Wayne Gretzky.
Former San Francisco 49ers Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott stand on the sidelines during the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Levi’s Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
And that most certainly can be said about Lott himself, who, more than a quarter-century after a storied career that produced four Super Bowl championships and a reputation as one of football’s hardest hitters, continues to make a big impact on the Bay Area community.
One of his latest endeavors is Follow the Music, a new music education and support program that has partnered with Elevate Oakland and other individuals and organizations to help inspire and nurture emerging Bay Area musical talents. Joining Lott in this crusade are notable local media/arts/entertainment representatives such as famed percussionist Sheila E., blues vocalist Terrie Odabi, music industry veteran Danielle Madeira and writer-producer Malcolm Spellman.
Follow the Music launched in late October at the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park, featuring performances by young artists affiliated with GLIDE Memorial Church, Oakland School for the Arts, SFJAZZ and other organizations. More events are expected to be announced soon at followthemusic.live.
But the group is not primarily focused on concerts. It goes deeper than that.
“The mission of Follow the Music is to center the conversation on how music transforms people’s lives, and how, as a region, we need to come together to support music education and emerging artists in order to bring back the spirit that made the Bay Area such a vibrant place,” says Philip Green, an artist manager who co-founded the organization with Lott and Grammy-winning producer Mike Kappus.
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And while Lott doesn’t have an extensive résumé in music, Madeira says it is a huge benefit having him on the Follow the Music team.
“Ronnie Lott is not only a good human, from my personal experience, but a beloved, and most importantly, respected public figure in our community,” she says. “His involvement in FTM opens conversations and doors that even us ‘seemingly important’ music veterans can’t because he brings a different perspective with the same goal — uplifting our community through music. (With) that intention plus being the coolest man of the planet — Ronnie Lott — what organization wouldn’t want to sign up and support that cause?”
Although it’s early in the game, Follow the Music’s game plan is to bring together a coalition of partners from a wide array of professions — from sports teams to concert promoters — to create educational and performance opportunities for young artists.
It’s all about giving someone a chance, Lott says. As an example, he points to one quarterback who was once lightly regarded yet was able to rise above the doubters and take full advantage of the opportunity he was given.
“Think of Brock Purdy, and what’s he done and how he’s done it,” Lott says of the 49ers starting quarterback, who was once the last pick in the NFL draft. “I mean, everybody needs a shot.”
The 10-time NFL Pro Bowler is determined to help as many people as possible get that all-important big shot. And as Green says, “When Ronnie Lott shows faith in you, it makes you want to step up and meet the moment.”
Lott has been stepping up and meeting the moment his whole life.
The defensive standout helped USC to the college football national championship in 1978 (shared with Alabama). And with the 49ers, he helped fashion one of the greatest sports dynasties of all time, winning four championships — 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1990 — during Lott’s initial 10 years with the team. He also played for the Los Angeles Raiders and the New York Jets before returning to the 49ers in 1995 when, because of injuries, he retired before the season.
Ronnie Lott, San Francisco 49ers safety, waits for the snap during the 49ers NFC divisional playoff game against the Washington Redskins in San Francisco, Jan. 12, 1990. (AP Photo/Jack Smith)
His knack for success continued in the business world, as Lott did venture capital and investing work as well as other endeavors. He currently owns a Toyota dealership in Tracey and a Hyundai dealership in Carson City.
Lott’s philanthropic efforts have been active for decades. In 1989, he founded All Stars Helping Kids, an organization that works to create opportunities for overlooked youths, minority groups and low-income communities.
“Ronnie is an ambassador of bringing people together and rallying groups around a common vision,” says Jose Corona, who is part of the Follow the Music team.
Lott’s approach to his current ventures is pretty much the same approach he took to his football career, Green says
“He acts with immediacy and takes the most direct path,” he says. “If he thinks there’s someone who can help move a project forward, he will literally reach out to that person right there, on the spot. It’s not about what we can do down the line, it’s about what we can do right now — and that kind of immediacy shows so much belief, it makes you want to do everything in your power to see it through.”
Lott credits his parents for his affinity for charitable work. “They still go to the same church, still giving to that church and still helping that church, still helping people in the community, still finding ways to just live a productive life,” he says.
