'Homeless Piano Man' Plays at 49ers' Opener

Check out the video that started it all at the bottom of this post.

From homeless man living on Sarasota’s streets to playing before a packed audience at San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium, Donald Gould’s Cinderella story continues to tug on heartstrings.

Just a few months ago, Gould, 51, was a homeless man with a scruffy appearance who barely turned the heads of passersby in Sarasota. Then, one fateful day, he sat down at a public piano and banged out Styx’s “Come Sail Away” with such passion and precision that people couldn’t help but notice. One of those who did happened to record a video that has since captured more than 13 million views on YouTube.

That video catapulted the man known as “Boone” in Sarasota into instant fame, providing him a second chance to follow his dreams of a musical career. The latest step in Gould’s journey unfolded Monday night in San Francisco when he played the National Anthem before a packed house to open the 49ers’ first regular season matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

While the 49ers would go on to trounce the Vikings 20-3, Gould gained the opportunity to play in front of thousands.

See Also:

• After Internet Fame, Homeless Piano Man’s Life Looking Up
• Bittersweet Reunion for Homeless Piano Man, Son
• Sarasota Piano Man Gets Whole New Look
• Watch: Homeless Piano Man Nails ‘Come Sail Away’

“After his discovery, the former Marine began an incredible journey to change his life after being homeless, while also giving back to community through is music,” the team’s website said, explaining the decision to host Gould at the season opener.

The journey that began with a YouTube video has continued forward at a breakneck pace with pieces falling into place to help Gould on his path. First, housing and employment assistance was offered from within the community. Then Inside Edition stepped forward to give him a complete makeover. Before long, his estranged son reached out on a video chat and encouraged his father to clean up and get some help for years of dependency issues that plagued his life.

Gould heeded that advice and entered a detox program, followed by rehabilitation.

As he was fighting his own battle against dependency, offers of help continued to pour in.

A gofundme account was established in his name has since raised more than $45,000. Spring Arbor University in Michigan, the school Gould attended and left in his younger years, has also offered him a full scholarship to finish his degree, MLive reported.

“We want to do the right thing for him,” Malachi Crane, SAU’s vice president for enrollment and marketing, was quoted by the station as saying. “He’s obviously had a lot of trials in his life. Sometimes you just need a break.”

Gould’s descent from family man and college student into life on Sarasota’s streets began in 1998 when his wife died. That loss led him into a downward spiral that would eventually take him from Michigan to Florida.

“I just lost it,” he told WWSB.

After the loss, Gould suffered from substance abuse and eventually lost custody of his then 3-year-old son.

The man, who says he can play almost any instrument, from the “piccolo down to the tuba,” was three semesters shy of a music education degree when he left Spring Arbor.

While it remains unclear what step Gould will take next, it is clear that Sarasota’s “homeless piano man” has touched thousands with his song.

Photo courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers