49ers Historical Highlights

1970 - This was the greatest year since the club became a member of the NFL in 1950. The team recorded a 10-3 record and captured the Western Division (NFC) Championship. In a season of superlatives, QB John Brodie was the NFL's "Player of the Year," CB Bruce Taylor was NFC "Rookie of the Year," Coach Dick Nolan was a near-unanimous choice as NFC "Coach of the Year." Brodie, WR Gene Washington, LB Dave Wilcox and HB Jimmy Johnson were all-pro and joined T Len Rohde in the Pro Bowl.

1971 - The 49ers forged a 9-5-0 record and won their second consecutive NFC Western Division title, clinching the crown on the final day by beating Detroit, 31-27, the identical score by which the Lions had knocked the 49ers out of championship play in 1957. The season was also the club's first in its plush new home, Candlestick Park. C Forrest Blue, LB Dave Wilcox and CB Jimmy Johnson were all-pro and joined in the Pro Bowl by TE Ted Kwalick, WR Gene Washington, RB Vic Washington, DE Cedrick Hardman and CB Bruce Taylor.

1972 - Early-season inconsistency, compounded by an injury to John Brodie in the fifth game of the season, cast appall on 49er prospects for a third-straight NFC Western Division title, but QB Steve Spurrier stepped in for Brodie and turned things around with a brilliant, poised performance. In the final quarter of the final game against Minnesota, the recovered Brodie relieved Spurrier and threw two TD passes in a 20-17 win over the Vikings. The victory clinched divisional title No.3, but Spurrier's nine-game contridution was the key. C Forrest Blue, DB Jimmy Johnson, TE Ted Kwalick, WR Gene Washington and LB Dave Wilcox were all-pro selections.

1973 - In what was both a disappointing and significant year, the 49erswere 5-after tackling the NFL's toughest schedule, a rash of key injuries and an unsettled quarterback situation. It also marked the end of the brilliant careers of QB John Brodie and DT Charlie Krueger, both of which retired at year's end. C Forrest Blue and LB Dave Wilcox were voted all-pro and joined in the Pro Bowl by TE Ted Kwalick, G Woody Peoples and P Tom Wittum.

1974 - The 49ers used five different quarterbacks after an injury to starter QB Steve Spurrier, a week before the season opened, sidelined him for most of the year. After winning the first two games, the club lost a team-record seven straight and then closed with a rush, winning four of its last five to finish the season 6-8. RB Wilbur Jackson was named The Sporting News "Rookie of the Year" and was named to the NFL All-Rookie team along with QB Tom Owen and DB Mike Holmes. C Forrest Blue and P Tom Wittum were All-NFC and selected for the Pro Bowl along with HB Jimmy Johnson. A knee injury forced perennial all-pro LB Dave Wilcox to retire after a brilliant 11-year career with the 49ers.

1975 - A strong defensive performance throughout the season couldn't offset an erratic offense troubled by an unsettled quarterback situation and a rebuilding offensive line. High point of the 5-9 season was a 24-23 win over Los Angeles to end a 10-game losing streak to the Rams. At season's end, DE Cedrick Hardman was the club's first-ever two-time Len Eshmont Award winner.

1976 - A turnaround year for the 49ers as the team, under coach Monte Clark, posted an 8-6 record, their first winning season since 1972. With new QB Jim Plunkett at the controls, the 49ers got off to their best start ever (6-1), before hitting a midseason four-game losing streak knocking the club out of playoff contention. The season was the emergence of a powerful defensive unit that led the league in quarterback sacks with 61. RB Devin Williams set a 49ers single-season rushing record with 1,203 yards. DE Tommy Hart was named all-pro and played in the Pro Bowl along with Williams, DE Cleveland Elam, and LB Dave Washington. C Randy Cross was an All-Rookie team selection, Hart became a two-time winner of the Len Eshmont Award and HB Jimmy Johnson retired after a brilliant 16-year career with the 49ers.

1977 - In the 32nd year of their existence, the 49ers began a new era. On March 31, 1977, the club became the property of Edward J. DeBartolo Jr., and came under the guidance of Joe Thomas as general manager. The changeover was made more dramatic because the San Francisco 49ers were one of the few NFL franchises which had never previously changed ownership or location. On the field, under coach Ken Meyer, the 49ers ran hot and cold. The club lost its first five games then won five of the next six before dropping the final three contests to finish 5-9. SS Mel Phillips was named winner of the coveted Len Eshmont Award. DE Cleveland Elam was selected All-Pro and played for the NFC in the Pro Bowl.

1978 - The 49ers suffered through their longest season as the club fell to 2-14 and three coaches were hired and fired in less than 12 months. First Pete McCulley departed after nine games with a 1-8 record, and his replacement, Fred O'Conner, was let go at the end of the year as the team won just one of its final seven contests. Bill Walsh was hired as the new coach and general manager. RB Paul Hofer, who replaced RB O.J. Simpson when the newly acquired star went to the sidelines for the year with a shoulder injury, was named recipient of the Len Eshmont Award.

1979 - The 49ers suffered through their second consecutive 2-14 season, but there were several indications of improvement. San Francisco went from virtually the worst ranked offensive team in the league in '78 to one of the most productive in '79, ranking first in passing offense in the NFC and sixth in total offense in the NFL. RB Paul Hofer again was the Len Eshmont Award recipient and individual leader, racking up 615 yards rushing and an additional 662 yards receiving on 58 catches in only seven starts. QB Steve DeBerg broke Fran Tarkenton's NFL record for completions by connecting on 347 passes. K Ray Wersching set a club record with an 83.3 field goal percentage, and also led the league with that mark. RB O.J. Simpson retired from the 49ers and the NFL, finishing as the second leading rusher of all time with 11,236 yards.