A Look Back....49ers Hall of Famers

(1969) DT Leo Nomellini (1950-63)
Was the first-ever draft choice after the 49ers joined the NFL. Played every 49ers game for 14 seasons. Altogether he played in 174 consecutive regular season games, and counting ten trips to the Pro Bowl, Nomellini played in 266 contests. "The Lion" became one of the few to be named to an all-NFL team on both offense and defense. Retired at age 39. Played college ball at the University of Minnesota. Born June 19,1924, in Lucca, Italy.

(1969) FB Joe Perry (1948-60, 63)
First player in NFL history to gain 1,000 yards two consecutive seasons. His 9,723 rushing yards placed him second only to Jim Brown when he retired. Finished career with 12,505 combined yards. Nicknamed "The Jet" because of his quick starts. Also played for the Baltimore Colts (1961-62). Attended Compton Junior College. Born January 22, 1927, in Stevens, Arkansas.

(1970) HB Hugh McElhenny (1952-60)
One of only three players to gain over 11,000 yards carrying the ball. Scored 60 career touchdowns, 38 rushing, including a 42-yard touchdown run on his first pro play in preseason. In 1952, McElhenny had the longest punt return (94) and longest play from scrimmage (89). Scored two touchdowns in first Pro Bowl after his rookie year. Also played for Minnesota Vikings (1961-62), New York Giants (1963), and Detroit Lions (1964). Played college football at University of Washington. Born December 31, 1928, in Los Angeles, CA.

(1971) QB Y.A. Tittle (1951-60)
Had 17 years of NFL experience, finishing his career with 33,070 passing yards and 281 touchdowns (39 rushing). Won NFL Most Valuable Player Award in 1961 and '63. Threw 33 touchdown passes and a career-high 3,224 yards in 1962. In '63 he threw 36 touchdowns, completing 60.2 percent of his passes. Also played for the Baltimore Colts (1948-50) and the New York Giants (1961-64). Played college ball at Lousiana State University. Born October 24, 1926, in Marshall, Texas.

(1987) FB John Henry Johnson (1954-56)
Was a member of what's been noted as the finest backfield in NFL history. The foursome known as "The Million Dollar Backfield" and "The Fabulous Foursome" included three other Hall of Famers-QB Y.A. Tittle and RBs Joe Perry and Hugh McElhenny. Gained 6,803 yards rushing, including 48 touchdowns. Also played for the Detroit Lions (1957-59), Pittsburgh Steelers (1960-65), and Houston Oilers (1966). Attended St. Mary's College and Arizona State University. Born November 24, 1929, in Waterproof, LA.

(1990) T Bob St. Clair (1953-63)
Exceptional offensive lineman. Also played goal-line defense and blocked 10 field goals in 1956. Once lost five teeth when blocking a punt. Earned all-NFL honors three times and made five Pro Bowl appearances. Attended San Francisco and Tulsa. Born February 18, 1931, in San Francisco, CA.

(1993) Head Coach Bill Walsh (1979-88)
Led "The Team of the '80s" to three Super Bowl titles (XVI, XIX, XXIII) in 10 years. Compiled a .617 winning percentage with a 102-63-1 mark that included 10 wins in 14 postseason games. Notorious for his reputation of being an outstanding offensive coach, Walsh developed what is now known as the "West Coast Offense." Named NFL Coach of the Year in 1981 and '84. Attended San Jose State. Born November 30, 1931, in Los Angeles, CA.

(1994) CB Jimmy Johnson (1961-76)
Starter on both offense and defense at UCLA. Began 49ers career as a defensive back, moved to offense, then stayed at DB in his third season. Intercepted 47 passes for 615 yards, including five INTs his rookie year. As a receiver in 1962, he caught 34 passes for 627 yards and four touchdowns. Recognized as one of the best man-to-man defenders in NFL history. Played in five Pro Bowls and twice won the prestigious Len Eshmont Award selected by his teammates for inspirational play. Born March 31, 1938, in Dallas, Texas

(2000) QB Joe Montana (1979-94)
Third-round pick out of Notre Dame in 1979 … Undersized with questionable arm strength, yet retired with highest QB rating (92.3) in history … He led 31 fourth-quarter comebacks, including 92-yard game-winning drive in the closing moments of Super Bowl XXIII … Led 49ers to four Super Bowl championships in 1980s … Three-times Super Bowl MVP … Led the league in completions percentage five times, passing yardage twice … Played in eight Pro Bowls … Ranks among the all-time leaders in passing yards (40,551) and TDs (273) … Named to Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 1980s
All Decade Team.

(2000) CB/S Ronnie Lott (1981-94)
Former USC star was the eighth overall pick in the 1981 draft … Was an All Pro cornerback before switching to safety in the mid-80s, where his excellence continued and his reputation grew … Played corner in first two Super Bowl wins, safety in last two … Known for his ferocious tackling, but was excellent in coverage, too … Ranks fifth on the list of all-time interceptors (63) … Ranks first with 9 postseason INTs … Played in 10 Pro Bowls … Was the defensive leader of San Francisco's first four Super Bowl championship teams … Named to Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 1980s All-Decade Team.

(2000) LB Dave Wilcox (1964-74)
Third-round pick out of Oregon in ’64 … Excellent in every phase of linebacking play … He is regarded as one of the best at stuffing tight ends at the line of scrimmage, preventing them from running pass routes … His coaches nicknamed him 'The Intimidator' for his aggressive style of play … Was a master at shedding blocks and shutting down the run as well … Rams QB Roman Gabriel once said of Wilcox, ‘He plays outside linebacker the way Dick Butkus plays middle linebacker' … Started in two NFC championship games and played in seven Pro Bowls from 1967-74.

(2005) QB Steve Young (1987-99)
Was the 12th San Francisco 49er to join the Hall of Fame football fraternity and the third quarterback. Stands as the most accurate passer in league history with a 96.8 quarterback rating. Threw 232 regular season touchdown tosses (17th all-time) and rushed 3,581 yards during his years at Tampa Bay (1985-86) and San Francisco (1987-99). Recorded 28, 300-yard passing games, holing an NFL record for most consecutive 300-yard games with six in 1998. Led the league in passing an NFL record four consecutive seasons (1991-94). Ranks 19th all-time with 33,124 yards passing. Ranks second in league history for rushing yardage by a quarterback with 4,239 yards and his 43 rushing touchdowns rank first in pro football history by a quarterback. Was a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player (1992 & 1994), Super Bowl XXIX MVP in 1994 and was named to the Pro Bowl seven consecutive years (1992-98).