NFL

Candlestick Park closes with 49ers win, Willie Mays, 30 arrests

SAN FRANCISCO — On a night they cheered “The Catch” and all the San Francisco greats of old, the current 49ers looked ready to move that success right into the future at a flashy new stadium.

In one emphatic finish, NaVorro Bowman, Colin Kaepernick and the Niners sealed their postseason berth in a ceremonious regular-season farewell for Candlestick Park.

Bowman returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown with 1:10 remaining, and the 49ers clinched a playoff spot with a wild 34-24 victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night in the likely final game at The Stick.

“That’s been the best thing I’ve ever seen happen in a football game,” coach Jim Harbaugh said.

Before Monday night’s game, Hall of Famer Steve Young threw passes to Hall of Famer Jerry Rice as the crowd roared. Hall of Fame baseball players Willie Mays and Willie McCovey, who played for the San Francisco Giants, waved to cheering fans.

San Francisco police say 30 people were arrested during the game.

Police did not say what the arrests were for, though the San Francisco Chronicle reported that at least some of the people were arrested on suspicion of stealing seats from the stadium.

In addition to the arrests, police said 81 people were ejected and seven people were cited.

The Niners began playing at The Stick in 1971. The team is moving to a new, $1.2 billion stadium next season.