To the ignorant among us whose bias and sanctimonious attitude continue to cloud the definition of fairness: Did you need any more proof as to what the 49ers are all about? Is further evidence needed to surmise the petulance of the boys by the bay?

Is Bill Walsh still a genius, above reproach? Is it finally sinking in that Terry Donahue, a winner nowhere, isn’t about to become one in San Francisco, either?

Put it in writing. And use a Sharpie to do it.

Just when you thought some semblance of professionalism still existed in this world, the braintrust presiding over the 49ers showed immaturity, belligerence and the absence of decency wasn’t monopolized by Terrell Owens or anyone else donning pads and helmets.

A little more than a week after capturing gold through the neglect of Owens’ agent, David Joseph, whose clerical error allowed the Niners to retain Owens’ rights, this once proud organization promptly went out and royally screwed the perennial all-pro receiver — and themselves in the process.

Purportedly unable to get the 28th overall draft pick from the Eagles, the Niners settled on the Baltimore Ravens’ 51st overall pick in exchange for Owens instead. They did this after talking with the Eagles, after permitting the Eagles to work out a deal with Owens on their own, and knowing Owens had every desire to catch passes from Donovan McNabb instead of some no-name down the road needing daily pep talks from Ray Lewis.

“I don’t think what San Francisco did was against the rules,” Eagles president Joe Banner said recently. “But I’m very disappointed that we were given permission to work something out and then they made this trade without giving us the chance to talk about anything else.”

So much for honor among thieves!

The 49ers did this deal to screw over Owens. Let’s cut through the nonsense.

They tired of his mouth, his antics, his tendency to shine a light on the team’s ineptitude. So when the opportunity arrived to thwart another NFC team — specifically, one that has visited the conference championship game three consecutive years and is vying for another shot at the Super Bowl — the 49ers vividly illustrated what we’ve all recognized a long time ago: This is not the same classy organization Walsh, Joe Montana and Eddie DeBartolo once established as a true gold standard in the NFL.

The Niners are just as trifling as anyone else. Just as shady. And while in suits and ties, mingling with everyone from politicians to sponsors, they’re no different than the egomaniacs few of us want in our living rooms, either.

Looks, indeed, are very deceiving.

“I wouldn’t put it past them to try and screw me one bit,” Owens said, knowing the 49ers had his rights. “That’s why I said I’m not having it. I know they’re not going to do what’s in my best interest. I doubt they’ll even do what’s in their best interest. They’re just determined to give it to me any chance they get. Like I said before, I’m not having it.”

Pause for a second.

This is not about Owens, his antics, and what may or may not serve him right for his behavior. This is about the issues, the integrity of business, and why so many players have the right to whine and moan whenever they get the chance.

Owens, like any other player, is paid handsomely to play football, which he has done. The man has 8,572 yards on 592 catches in eight NFL seasons. He’s a four-time all-pro receiver, recognized as one of the game’s very best and coveted by the likes of McNabb, Brian Dawkins and even that new guy just handed $66 million by the Eagles, Jevon Kearse.

“That’s a bad man,” Dawkins said at Thursday night’s 76ers-Kings game. “We all know this.”

It’s the parts we don’t know that should concern everyone.

Regardless of how annoying Owens has been, how many passes he dropped, how many times he seemed hesitant to go across the middle of the field, the consensus is that nothing has stopped him from producing.

There were more questions about Jeff Garcia’s talent than Owens, about Dennis Erickson’s coaching ability, about Greg Knapp’s abilities as an offensive coordinator, and certainly about the direction of the Niners franchise.

“The one thing I would never flake on is doing my job,” Owens said.

The problem is, the Niners have been asleep at the wheel for years, using Owens as a target to hide their deficiencies.

If Owens is really a model of bad taste, so much for wondering from whom he learned.