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The San Francisco 49ers were first born in 1946 when they joined the All American Football Conference. The AAFC was dominated by the Cleveland Browns, and the league folded after the 1949 season.

The 49ers joined the NFL for the 1950 season, and did not enjoy their first tangible success until 1957. That year saw them invent the “alley-oop” pass, as they tied the Detroit Lions for the divisional crown.

They faced the Lions for the rights to go to the NFL Championship, and were leading by twenty points in the third quarter. Detroit would storm back and win, becoming the eventual champions that season.

San Francisco featured several Hall Of Fame players during the 1950s. Quarterback Y.A. Tittle, fullback Joe “Jet” Perry, halfback Hugh McElhenny, and fullback John Henry Johnson all starred together in San Francisco, along with Hall of Fame defensive tackle Leo Nomellini and Hall of Fame offensive tackle Bob St. Clair.

Though San Francisco failed to win any titles in this era, they were always one of the most exciting teams in the league.

The team had many good squads the next thirty years, but none ever were able to get to a championship game. They played in the NFC Championship games in both 1970 and 1971, but lost to the Dallas Cowboys each time.

Fortunes began to turn when Bill Walsh was hired as head coach in 1978. He soon led the 49ers to Super Bowl Champions in 1981, and would repeat this feat again in 1984 and 1988. Walsh retired, and George Siefert was named his replacement.

Siefert’s first year as head coach saw the 49ers win Super Bowl XXIV in 1989. He would lead the team to one last championship in 1994. The list of players from this era are still well known by many today.

Joe Montana and Steve Young are both quarterbacks in the Hall of Fame, as is wide receiver Jerry Rice, defensive end Fred Dean, and defensive back Ronnie Lott. They were part of a solid team that hardly ever played a poor game in an era where teams like the Washington Redskins and New York Giants also won multiple championships.

Here is a look at some of the greatest players, who are not in the Hall Of Fame, from a great franchise.

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By 3rdStone
BR Writer/SJ Contributing Author