Vernon Davis is no longer hosting an NFC Championship Game after-party, yanking his name from an event Sunday night at San Francisco's Manor West nightclub in hopes of heading off accusations that he was "looking ahead" or "distracted," two of the biggest sins a professional athlete can commit in the eyes of nervous fans and media. The statement from Manor West clarifying Davis' involvement -- and a revised invitation -- appear below.
From Nate Mezmer, Manor West's creative director, on the club's website:
Announcement: Vernon Davis' camp has decided to pull his name from the title of this event as he wants to make it clear to everyone that he is solely focused on the task at hand on the football field this Sunday, as he has been each and every game this season.
We with the venue (Manor West) would like to issue the following response in regards to the event, Vernon's involvement, and what appears to simply be "silly-season" journalism in terms of the mainstream media's coverage of this event:
Vernon Davis is not, and was not ever "throwing this party." The venue has always been the one organizing the event, not Vernon Davis or his people.
This was only organized through his management, never directly with him. Vernon is not, and was not distracted by this event because he was never involved in planning it and it has had no affect on his preparation. This situation seems to be entirely made up by the media in attempts to formulate a story that wasn't there.
Although Vernon's name has been pulled from this event title, the event is still happening regardless of the outcome of the game or whether or not Vernon's name is attached to it.
Furthermore, this event on Sunday night is a celebration of the 49ers season in general, not any sort of attempt at a predicted victory party.
This event was in the works before Vernon Davis' name was ever attached to it and the only distraction related to this situation appears to have been entirely created by some in the media.
So, here's to this "party issue" being completely irrelevant on Sunday night in hopes that we will all be celebrating the 49ers first Super Bowl appearance in well over a decade. Win or lose, everyone who is 21 & over and a classy representation of what a 49er fan should be is invited... including Vernon Davis & his teammates.