Packers fan refuses signed ball at 49ers fan party; Niners send an alternative gift

TITLETOWN (NBC 26) – A group of Packers fans attended a “49ers Invasion” party at a sports bar in Ashwaubenon on Saturday and were surprised when one of them won an autographed football in a raffle – but didn’t receive it.

• Joseph De La Rosa has been a Packers fan “since he came out of the womb” and wore his Jordan Love jersey to the party he attended because his family members visiting from Las Vegas are 49ers fans
• His number was announced as the winner of a drawing for a football signed by 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year
• The presenters on stage briefly joked with the teenager but then didn’t present him with the award, reportedly saying they would get him something else
• A video now going viral on Joseph’s brother’s Facebook page shows the full exchange between Joseph and the hosts
• The party was held at the bar on Holmgren Way – the restaurant told NBC 26 it was just the venue for the event and had nothing to do with the raffle
• Some on social media have speculated that refusing to provide the prize was illegal – the Wisconsin Division of Gaming did not respond to requests for comment on Monday, but its website and phone line say a sweepstakes is not a raffle because there is none Purchase is necessary and therefore no purchase is necessary is not regulated
  • The 49ers Invasion “raffle” was free to enter as guests automatically entered when they received a free ticket
• The 49ers tell NBC 26 they are now sending Joseph a helmet signed by safety Tanaloa Hufanga
• The video above shows part of the party on Saturday and Joseph’s reaction on Monday

(The following is a transcription of the entire broadcast story, with additional details for the Internet)

The San Francisco 49ers held a pregame party here Saturday for visiting fans, but there were a few Packers fans in attendance as well. They say they expected to get some excitement from the Niners’ supporters, but none of them could have predicted what would happen if one of them won an award – or believed they would.

Brothers Joseph and Samuel went to the party with family members who are Niners fans.

When it came time to raffle off a football signed by running back Christian McCaffrey, Joseph had the ticket.

“(They) said my number and I was excited to receive the ball,” Joseph said.

The gold and scarlet crowd floored the 14-year-old, which didn’t surprise his older brother.

“I started filming immediately,” said Samuel Strom. “I expected him to pick a fight, and the booing was to be expected.”

Joseph was also willing to do this.

“At first I laughed,” he said.

But he still expected to get the ball – but the hosts said no and later gave it to a 49ers fan instead.

“Unfortunately, they said I couldn’t do it because I was rocking the Packer gear,” Joseph said. “I was embarrassed. I felt judged just because I love the sport; I love football and everything about it.”

According to a local sports memorabilia store, the ball would be worth about $100, but Joseph had no plans to sell it anyway.

“I would have kept it and put it in my room with all my other signed stuff,” he said. “(I’m a) big athlete.”

Instead, Joseph was given a pair of sunglasses provided by the event’s corporate sponsor, Zenni Optical.

He later said 49ers representatives at the party promised him something else in the mail.

A spokesperson told NBC 26 the team still wants to make sure Joseph has something to remember him by after not getting the ball.

“There was no deeper malice involved,” the spokesman said. “Just superficial, friendly banter.”

The team says a gift is on the way for Joseph. It is not a ball signed by Christian McCaffrey, but a helmet signed by safety Talanoa Hufanga. It’s in the mail and the 49ers hope to have it in Titletown by the end of the week.

Joseph and Samuel will be back at Lambeau Field on Thursday when the Packers take on the Dolphins.

“Go, pack, go,” said Joseph. “Let’s do this dub for Thanksgiving.”