National Football League
San Francisco 49ers
NFC/West
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49er’s History
The expansion team San Francisco 49er’s entered the league in 1956 after petitioning the NFL for a team for 5 years. After posting a 9-5 record the 49er’s followed up with a 8-4-2 sophomore record and the team had the distinction of becoming the first NFL team to sign an Asian American as they signed RB Wally Yonamine.
The first time the 49er’s had the opportunity to get deep into the playoffs was the 1970 season. Led by QB John Brodie, (who won the NFL MVP Award) the 49ers posted a 10-3-1 record but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Dallas Cowboys 17-10.
The 49er’s returned to the NFC Championship the next season and again led by John Brodie. However, for the 2nd time in as many years, the Dallas Cowboys took the 49ers out of contention, beating them 14-3. The following season (1972) San Francisco lost QB John Brodie and playoff hopes looked dim until backup QB Steve Spurrier stepped in and picked up the slack. Spurrier would go 5-2-1 and the team finished with a 8-5-1 record. Again the 49ers face the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC Title and again the Cowboys would break the 49er fans hearts with a nail biting 30-28 victory.
It would not be until 1981, nine years after last making the NFC Playoffs that the 49ers found themselves in contention again and again found themselves faced with their old nemesis, the Dallas Cowboys, for the NFC Title. This time the Niner’s had a secret weapon by the name of Joe Montana. The tightest contest between the two teams to date, the 49er’s battled back and forth with the Cowboys until what is now regarded as the most famous catch in NFL history happened. Late in the 4th quarter and trailing 27-21, Montana, avoiding a sack that would have surely doomed the team, heaved a bomb into the end zone in an attempt to throw it out of bounds. In a throng of defenders, San Francisco Wide out Dwight Clark leapt up and brought down the ball for the game winning touchdown. The Niner’s would finally make it into the Super Bowl.
The 49er’s faced the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI in Pontiac, Michigan and got off to a fast start leading 20-0 by halftime. The 2nd half would prove much tougher as the Bengals battled back to a six point spread. The 49er defense stiffened and turned the Bengals away four times from the goal line. San Francisco would go on to win 26-21 for their first Super Bowl win.
The 49er’s again made it to the championship game 3 years later in Super Bowl XIX which pitted the Niner’s against the Miami Dolphins. San Francisco falls behind early but manages a 28-16 halftime lead. The second half, the Niner’s shut down the Miami offense and finished off the Dolphins 38-16 for their second Super Bowl Title.
1988 and the Niner’s found themselves in a battle for the NFC title against the Chicago Bears at frigid Soldier Field. With wind chills reaching 26 below zero, the Bears seemed to be the ones affected by the weather as the Niner’s shut down the Bear offense for a 28-3 victory and their 4th bid at a Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XXIII pitted the Niner’s against a familiar foe, the Cincinnati Bengals in Miami. The game was stalemated for 3 quarters at 6 apiece. In the final quarter, the Bengals managed a 16-13 lead on a kick return for a touchdown. The Niner’s fought back and Joe Montana engineered a comeback that would end with the Niner’s winning the game 20-16 victory and their third Super Bowl.
The 49er’s would come back the next season and repeat as NFC Champions and earned the right to face the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV. The Niner’s took control early scoring 2 TD’s a quarter while holding the Bengals to 10 points as San Francisco won their 4th Super Bowl 55-10.
San Francisco would make it into one more Championship Game, Super Bowl XXIX against the San Diego Chargers. The Niner’s took control early as they jumped out to a 28-10 halftime lead. Steve Young took home MVP Honors throwing for 6 TD passes as the Niner’s blow out the Chargers 49-26 for their record breaking 5th Title.
The 49er’s have made the playoffs 22 times in 63 years and have won their division 1 time (2002). They have won their conference 17 times (1970, 1971, 1972, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 and 2002). They have won the NFC Championship 5 times (1981, 84, 88, 89 and 1994). They have won all 5 Super Bowls they have appeared in (1981, 84, 88, 89 and 1994).
The team has had 14 Hall of Famers on their rosters: (Fred Dean 1981-1985, John Henry Johnson 1954-1956, Jimmy Johnson 1961-1976, Ronnie Lott 1981-1990, Hugh McElhenny 1952-1960, Joe Montana 1979-1992, Leo Nomellini 1950-1963, Joe Perry 1948-1960, 1963, Bob St. Clair 1953-1963, O.J. Simpson 1978-1979, Y.A. Tittle 1951-1960, Bill Walsh Coach 1979-1988, Dave Wilcox 1964-1974 and Steve Young 1987-1999).
The team has retired 12 jerseys: #8 Steve Young, #12 John Brodie, #16 Joe Montana, #34 Joe Perry, #37 Jimmy Johnson, #39 Hugh McElhenny, #42 Ronnie Lott, #70 Charlie Kruger, #73 Leo Nomellini, #79 Bob St. Clair, #80 Jerry Rice and #87 Dwight Clark.
Team Awards include 3 Coach of the Year Awards (1981 Bill Walsh, 1990 & 1994 George Seifert), 3 Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards (1970 Bruce Taylor, 1993 Dana Stubblefield and 2007 Patrick Willis), 2 Defensive Player of the Year Awards (1994 Deon Sanders and 1997 Dana Stubblefield), 5 Offensive Player of the Year Awards (1987 Jerry Rice, 1988 Roger Craig, 1989 Joe Montana, 1992 Steve Young and 1993 Jerry Rice) and 5 NFL MVP Awards (1954 Joe Perry, 1970 John Brodie, 1989 Joe Montana, 1990 Joe Montana, 1992 and 1994 Steve Young)
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