San Francisco 49ers

49ers' NaVorro Bowman recounts 'emotional' return to football field

Published Aug. 25, 2015 3:37 p.m. ET

foxsports

NaVorro Bowman looked like he didn't miss a step.

.@NBowman53 took the field for the first time in 19 months with the #Faithful on his mind. http://t.co/X5KFIjFk0b pic.twitter.com/d1qythPzsN
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 24, 2015

Even after 19 months away from the gridiron, the 49ers linebacker looked like his usual self with three tackles, including two for loss, despite only one series.

In a gesture to the fans, Bowman decided to prolong his return and play in front of the 49ers faithful, rather than play in the team's first preseason game at Houston.

“It felt right to give the fans the first look at me because they do so much for us and we appreciate them,” Bowman said, via the team website. “It’s the preseason, so we had a choice and I wanted to give it back to them.”

(h/t 49ers.com)