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49ers, Giants give support to Batkid

SAN FRANCISCO -- The sports world went batty for Batkid.

San Francisco 49ers stars Anquan Boldin, Joe Staley and Anthony Davis -- and even coach Jim Harbaugh -- all gave shoutouts to 5-year-old Miles Scott, who took over as his favorite superhero Friday and received a police escort as he scurried around San Francisco to save Gotham through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Dressed in a black Batman costume, Scott clenched his fists as he took on foe after foe around the city. In the process, Scott became a darling of social media and attracted thousands of fans around the country, including the White House.

Batkid was called into service by police Chief Greg Suhr and spent the day zooming from one "crime scene'' to the next. Accompanied by an adult Batman impersonator, Batkid rescued a damsel in distress from cable car tracks, captured the Riddler as he robbed a bank and saved the San Francisco Giants' mascot -- Lou Seal -- from the Penguin's clutches.

The Oakland Raiders also cheered him, along with Stanford's baseball team, among many others.

"SFBatKid is my hero!!! Saving the city today!'' Staley, the veteran 49ers left tackle, posted on his Twitter account.

Added Giants pitcher George Kontos: "Props to all the residents of Gotham City aka SF that showed up to cheer him on!''

Even every rival team of the Giants in the National League West -- the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres -- got into the fun and posted their support for the boy, who has battled leukemia for years but is in remission after undergoing treatment.

"Way to go!'' offered the Padres upon hearing Batkid had rescued Lou Seal from the Penguin at AT&T Park.

Wrote the 2013 NL West champion Dodgers on Twitter: "Safe to say #SFBatKid had one of the greatest days of ALL-TIME. Bravo, San Francisco.'' The club also applauded the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Giants.

And Davis, the 49ers right tackle, showed his appreciation for everyone involved -- thousands of volunteers -- in making Scott's day so special.

"The people that made this day happen for #SFBatKid are ... awesome,'' Davis wrote. "That little guy is a big dreamer. I love it.''

With the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals still on the remaining schedule along with the Atlanta Falcons for San Francisco, Boldin played off that.

Harbaugh, with three young children of his own, praised Scott's efforts before the 49ers took off to fly to New Orleans, where they will face the Saints on Sunday.

"It's wonderful, wonderful. Great for that youngster and great for the city of San Francisco and the whole region,'' Harbaugh said. "Saving lives for the day. I love it. That's so good. Good deed in a weary world.''

Batkid had a police escort worthy of a dignitary as he sped around the city in a black Lamborghini with a Batman decal, with officers blocking traffic and riding alongside him on motorcycles. The White House sent out a tweet encouraging Batkid to "Go get 'em!'' In a video recording, President Barack Obama said, "Way to go, Miles! Way to save Gotham!''

The crowds grew after each stop, reaching into the thousands by the time Scott got to Union Square for lunch at the Burger Bar atop Macy's. Spectators climbed trees and clambered up lampposts, and police and organizers struggled to keep a path open for the motorcade, which drove past onlookers lining the streets six deep for several blocks.

Although he didn't address the crowd, Scott raised his fist twice and wore a grin as he was feted with chocolate, an FBI "raid jacket'' and a San Francisco Police Department cap. A clothing company donated $10,000 to Scott's family, and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee proclaimed Nov. 15 to be "Batkid Day Forever.''

Miles' father, Nick Scott, was asked what the boy liked best about Batman.

"The cape, I guess,'' he said.

The father thanked the crowd, organizers and the city for showing his son a good time.

"This is closure for us,'' Nick Scott said. "It has been a hard three years.''

Miles, who lives in Tulelake in far Northern California, was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 18 months old and ended treatments in June.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.