In another case of out-of-town interests meddling in our local mayoral election, the St. Louis-based (maybe) American Mustache Institute has endorsed our mustachioed temporary mayor in next week's election. The AMI, which considers itself, "the bravest organization in the history of mankind behind only the U.S. military and the post-Jim Henson Muppets," described their support for Lee in a blog post today:

The race for Mayor of the city has been as spirited as San Francisco itself, drawing candidates who represent the diverse factions of the city. For AMI, the choice in the Mayoral race has been less about politics and more about the conflict between mustaches and goatees.

After defending their stubbly snub of Supervisor and Goatee-wearer John Avalos, the Institute goes on:

Indeed, it is time for the streets of Chinatown, Castro, Pacific Heights, Haight-Asbury, and other neighborhoods within the city to shimmer with the glow of Mayor Lee’s lower nasal forestry.

It is the right time and right place for San Franciscans to embrace the sexually dynamic Mustached American lifestyle. And it is for that reason the administration of the American Mustache Institute endorses Ed Lee for Mayor of San Francisco.

[AmericanMustacheInstitute]

Defensive end Kevin Fagan and his mighty mustache helped hold the line for George Seifert's boxer's-mentality 3-4 defensive scheme during the zenith of San Francisco's 1980s power.

Fagan served stolidly in the d-line trenches alongside such fellows as Pierce Holt, Larry Roberts, the unforgivable Jim Burt, Danny Stubbs, Antonio Goss, and the immovable Michael Carter.

Fagan received NFL championship rings for wins in the oh-so-close Super Bowl XXIII against the Bengals, and as part of Super Bowl XXIV blowout of the Broncos -- at which time the 49ers' 1989 franchise staked their claim as the greatest football team of all time.

Being a lineman in a 3-4 scheme means forcible anonymity. But today, we remember and recognize Kevin (and his mustache) for the hard work put in.

Well done, Kevin.

Roger Craig was one of the most versatile running backs the NFL has ever seen.

A perfect fit for Bill Walsh's short-passing offensive system, in 1985 Craig became the first man to gain 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 receiving in the same season.

Walsh's system was based on gaining yards after initial contact. Yet to open up the short passing game, the defense had to be made to account for the running game. Craig excelled at both -- making defenders miss after a catch or running the ball out of the backfield in the 49ers' nimble rushing playset.

Eyes struck wide-open and high knees thrashing as he ran the ball, Craig was a marvelously unique weapon in the 49ers' offenses of the 80s that defenses were forced to adapt to. He could run with agility, or he could lower the shoulder and run with power. He could take the handoff, or he could catch a pass as ably as the best wide receiver.

His slicing scamper through a interlacing gauntlet of missed Dolphin tacklers became the signature image of Super Bowl XIX; Craig's knees threshing furiously in avoidance, and then bounding high in celebration as he crossed the chalk line into the endzone.

He would score three touchdowns that day, the first ever to do so in a Super Bowl.

Much as he would change the style of his face-mask from time to time, Craig would sometimes rock a mustache, and at times he would not. Another testament to his versatility.

Merry Whatever's-Your-Thing to y'all, and may your mustache be bushy and bright.