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San Francisco 49ers

The Life And Career Of John Brodie

San Francisco 49ers fans are well aware of franchise quarterback legends Joe Montana and Steve Young. Together, they brought home five Super Bowl trophies over the span of 15 years. Before Montana arrived in San Francisco in 1979, John Brodie was the “it” QB for the Niners. Brodie was fortuna...

Ben Donahue • 2 months ago

Cornerback Eric Davis of the San Francisco 49ers looks on

The Life And Career Of Eric Davis

Eric Davis played college ball at a small school, but he ended up as a second-round draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 1990. It wasn’t luck that landed Davis with the defending world champions. The corner more than held his own at Jackson State, then proved himself as one of the best in...

Ben Donahue • 8 months ago

San Francisco 49ers

The Life And Career Of Dwight Clark

On January 10, 1982, Dwight Clark officially attained legendary status in the pantheon of NFL history. That was the day when he reached impossibly high into the heavens and came down with a pass that nearly sailed out of bounds. https://twitter.com/NFL_Stats/status/1003770487493799941 His tea...

Ben Donahue • 1 year ago

More from Pro Football History on San Francisco 49ers History

Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers rolls out

The Life And Career Of Alex Smith

Alex Smith was the first overall pick of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2005 NFL Draft. By 2010, it looked like Smith was yet another first-round quarterback bust. Several injuries, a lack of consistent offensive talent, and a vicious cycle of offensive coordinators, nearly spelled his doom....

Ben Donahue • 2 years ago

Ken Norton, Jr. #51 of the San Francisco 49ers walks onto the field

The Life And Career Of Ken Norton Jr. (Story)

Ken Norton Jr. didn’t have what some might call a normal upbringing. His father, Ken Norton Sr., was one of the best heavyweight boxers in the world from the 1960s until the early 1980s. Norton Jr. didn’t follow in his father’s footsteps but he packed a punch in his own right. https://twitter...

Ben Donahue • 3 years ago

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS RUNNING BACK ROGER CRAIG CARRIES THE FOOTBALL

The Life And Career Of Roger Craig (Story)

As an NFL running back, Roger Craig only had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 11 years. However, Craig was no one-trick pony. He also happened to be one of the best receiving backs in NFL history. In fact, in 1985, Craig became the first running back in league history to reach 1,000 yards...

Ben Donahue • 3 years ago

49ers Hall of Famer, Joe Perry

The Life And Career Of Joe "The Jet" Perry (Story)

Ben Donahue • 3 years ago In the mid-1950s, the San Francisco 49ers had the best backfield in pro football. Quarterback Y.A. Tittle and backs John Henry Johnson, Hugh McElhenny, and Joe “The Jet” Perry formed what became the “Million Dollar Backfield.” Perry was a sight to behold and more than lived up to his nickname...

Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a victory

The Life And Career Of Patrick Willis (Story)

Poch de la Rosa • 3 years ago Patrick Willis was one of the greatest linebackers who ever donned San Francisco 49ers red, white, and gold. Willis overcame adversity and a difficult childhood in his home state of Tennessee. He eventually committed to the Ole Miss Rebels and became one of the SEC's most ferocious linebacker...

Steve Young #8, Quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers

The Life And Career Of Steve Young (Story)

Ben Donahue • 3 years ago In the NFL, it’s nearly impossible to replace a legend. After all, not everyone can maintain or replicate the success of a player who has lifted a franchise to untold heights. On rare occasions, however, the next man up can exceed expectations and write his own legacy. That’s what happened to...

Portrait of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Y.A. Tittle in uniform

The Life And Career Of Y.A. Tittle (Story)

Ben Donahue • 4 years ago It’s been said that Y.A. Tittle was born to perform on a stage. Without a doubt, he did that and then some. Tittle was an All-SEC performer at LSU, setting school records and breaking the hearts of opposing teams. He then played in the NFL for 17 years and became one of the best quarterbacks...

Former NFL Football Player Joe Montana

The Life And Career Of Joe Montana (Story)

Ben Donahue • 4 years ago On the surface, Joe Montana didn’t look like anything special. He was skinny, didn’t have a cannon for an arm, wasn’t particularly fast, and had “average” mechanics. What Montana did possess was the Midas touch. Everything he touched turned to gold. He was a national champion in college and a...

Jim Druckenmiller #14 of the San Francisco 49ers in action

The Life And Career Of Jim Druckenmiller (Story)

Poch de la Rosa • 4 years ago Some pundits argue that Jim Druckenmiller was the worst player in San Francisco 49ers franchise history. Druckenmiller, who played behind the great Steve Young, had a total of 239 passing yards, one touchdown pass, and four interceptions in six career games for the 49ers from 1997 to 1998. Ho...

NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers

The Life And Career Of NaVorro Bowman (Story)

Robert Marvi • 4 years ago After some very dark years in the 2000s, the San Francisco 49ers returned to their accustomed status as one of the elite teams in the National Football League. One of the players who played a key role in their resurgence was linebacker NaVorro Bowman. He helped the Niners establish one of the...

Defensive end Kentwan Balmer #96 of the San Francisco 49ers

The Life And Career Of Kentwan Balmer (Complete Story)

Robert Marvi • 4 years ago Kentwan Balmer was blessed with a large, very strong body and a killer mindset, both of which allowed him to play Division I college football and took him all the way to the National Football League. He had the fortune of getting to play for one of the league's most iconic franchises, but an...

Dana Stubblefield #94 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates

The Life And Career Of Dana Stubblefield (Story)

Robert Marvi • 4 years ago In the 1990s, Dan Stubblefield was one of the better defensive linemen in the National Football League. He also had the good fortune of being drafted by and getting to play for one of the league's elite and iconic franchises that was in the midst of one of the sport's greatest dynasties. His...

Runningback Garrison Hearst #20 of the San Francisco 49ers

The Life And Career Of Garrison Hearst (Complete Story)

charlene • 4 years ago To most fans of football, Garrison Hearst was the outstanding 49ers running back that was plagued with injuries. To others, he is just the hometown kid that would later become a record-setting running back for the Georgia Bulldogs. For most football stars, their stories in the NFL are recorde...

Offensive lineman Harris Barton of the San Francisco 49ers

The Life And Career Of Harris Barton (Complete Story)

Poch de la Rosa • 4 years ago Harris Barton was a pillar of strength on the San Francisco 49ers' offensive line during their glory years in the late 1980s and mid-1990s. With Barton helping protect quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young, the 49ers juggernaut won three Super Bowl titles in a seven-year span from 1988 to...

A close up of Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers

The Life And Career Of Jerry Rice (Complete Story)

Robert Marvi • 4 years ago In the National Football League, there are stars, there are superstars, there are all-time greats and then there is Jerry Rice. For 20 seasons, he made his mark on pro football while rewriting the record books and making them look like his own personal resume. If there were a Mount Rushmore o...

SAFETY MERTON HANKS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

The Life And Career Of Merton Hanks (Complete Story)

Robert Marvi • 4 years ago In the 1990s, the San Francisco 49ers were one of the elite teams in the National Football League, and much of the attention and recognition they received was for their high-powered offense and the stars they possessed on that side of the football. But the X-factor of the Niners' success back...

Terrell Owens #81 of the San Francisco 49ers calls for a touchdown signal from the referee during the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers game at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California . DIGITAL IMAGE

The Life And Career Of Terrell Owens (Complete Story)

Robert Marvi • 4 years ago In 1988, the metal band "Poison" released its most famous song, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn." According to lead singer Bret Michaels, he wrote it when he called his girlfriend on a payphone, and upon hearing a male voice in the background, he realized she was cheating on him. The song's theme s...

Ricky Watters #32 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on from the bench during a game against the Carolina Panthers at the Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the Seahawks 23-3.

What Happened To Ricky Watters? (Complete Story)

Robert Marvi • 5 years ago In the 1990s, the National Football League was blessed with the presence of a cadre of talented running backs that left indelible memories in the minds of many fans. These backs quickly became household names. Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas, Jerome Bettis and Terrell Davis, to na...

Defender Bill Romanowski #53 of the Oakland Raiders roams the sidelines during the game against the Seattle Seahawks on September 8, 2002 at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 31-17.

The Life And Career Of Bill Romanowski (Complete Story)

Ben Donahue • 5 years ago Former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski was known for a lot of things during his 16-year career. He was a winner as a four-time Super Bowl champion (he appeared in five title games). He was dependable, appearing in 243 consecutive games. He was quick and deadly, as evidenced by over 1,100 caree...

Defensive lineman Charles Haley of the Dallas Cowboys moves down the field during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Cowboys won the game, 28-13.

The Life And Career Of Charles Haley (Complete Story)

Ben Donahue • 5 years ago For several years, Tom Brady has been lauded as the greatest winner in NFL history. There is little to debate about the accolades. In ten Super Bowl appearances, Brady has won seven. Even more remarkable, he has won the biggest game in the NFL with two different teams. However, the player wit...

San Francisco 49ers

The Life And Career Of Hardy Brown (Complete Story)

Ben Donahue • 5 years ago The history of professional football is filled with inspiring stories of athletes overcoming long odds to make it in the NFL. Each player makes certain sacrifices to become professional athletes. However, there are some who initially appeared to have no shot at a decent life, let alone a life...

Ronnie Lott of the San Francisco 49ers.

The Life And Career Of Ronnie Lott (Complete Story)

Ben Donahue • 5 years ago Professional athletes have to sacrifice a lot in order to be successful. This can include lost time with family due to training and games and diminished skills due to injuries, which affect long-term health. However, it’s not every day that an athlete sacrifices an actual piece of themselves...