On one block of one street in San Francisco’s mission district neighbors and friends share a bond over their beloved San Francisco 49ers. Every Sunday they come together as a community and celebrate, win or lose. Today, Super Bowl LIV, was no exception. They celebrated until they couldn’t anymore as the 49ers lost a close game to the Kansas City Chiefs. But as the reality took hold of everyone a voice echoed out in the chilly night air, “next year, we’ll be back next year. It was a great season.” Their loyalty to their team could not be shaken but more importantly their loyalty to the neighborhood and community won on this Sunday. I was a stranger with a camera there to capture their joy and sorrow. I was welcomed in with open arms. I was fed, embraced, joked with, like I had lived there for years. Neighborhoods like this are becoming increasingly hard to find, but where they exist They are wonderful.
A man takes photographs of his neighbors on the steps of Jerome Santiago’s home as they gear up for the Super Bowl in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
Residents and die hard 49er fans hang out on the sidewalk as they gear up for the Super Bowl in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
Residents and die hard 49er fans hang out on the sidewalk as they gear up for the Super Bowl in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
JohnMarksman transports beer on his segway as he and his neighbors they gear up for the Super Bowl in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
John Marksman (right) eats with neighbors other block of Alabama Street just before kick off of the Super Bowl featuring the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
Residents and die hard 49er fans hang out on the sidewalk as they gear up for the Super Bowl in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
Anahai Hernandez, 9, creates a 49er logo on the sidewalk as the neighborhood gears up for the Super Bowl in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
John Marksman (right) celebrates with a neighbor after the 49ers scored a touchdown in the first half of the Super Bowl between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
John Gallardo (center) celebrates with a neighbors after the 49ers scored a touchdown in the first half of the Super Bowl between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
Residents and die hard 49er fans hang out on the sidewalk as they gear up for the Super Bowl in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
Michael Brown reacts to the 49ers loss in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs, in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
Nick Otto Photography
A freelance photographer Nick Otto specializes in editorial, corporate and documentary photography. He is available for assignments.