san francisco 49ers founder

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTSSAN FRANCISCO 49ERS1949 - December 10, the NFL and AAFC announced thatthe two leagues will merge. The NFL agrees to adopt Baltimore,Cleveland and San Francisco as new franchises.1950 - The 49ers struggled in their NFL debut, winningonly three games. A rival coach described them as “not bigenough or tough enough.”1951 - In an amazing reversal of form sparked by a greatrookie group, the 49ers were in the race until the season’sfinal day and finished only a half game off the top. Led by LBHardy Brown and his famed shoulder tackle, the club had oneof the toughest defensive units in the League. QB Y.A. Tittleand E Billy Wilson began their great 49er careers.1952 - After a blazing start, the 49ers slumped in midseason.HB Hugh “The King” McElhenny came off the Universityof Washington campus to become the NFL PLAYER OFTHE YEAR and the most feared runner in football.1953 - The 49ers had their best NFL showing posting a9-3 record, normally good enough for a championship.Detroit, however, was 10-2. Two of San Francisco’s lossescame with QB Y.A. Tittle sidelined because of a severe facialinjury. The three defeats were by a total of nine points. FBJoe “The Jet” Perry became one of the few players in prohistory to gain more than 1,000 yards in a single season.E Gordy Soltau was the league’s top scorer for the secondstraight year.1954 - The 49ers jumped out to a blazing start, posting a4-0-1 record through the season’s first five games. Howeverthe early momentum was slowed by injuries to threekey members of the legendary “Million Dollar Backfield.” QBY.A. Tittle, HB Hugh McElhenny and FB Joe Perry all missedaction with different injuries, but Perry returned to becomethe first player to record 1,000 yards rushing in consecutiveseasons.1955 - With HB Hugh McElhenny hobbled by a foot injury,the 49ers had their second-worst season in history underNorman P. Strader, who succeeded Buck Shaw as headcoach.1956 - In head coach Frankie Albert’s first year at the helm,the 49ers were in last place at mid-season with a 1-6 record.They went 4-0-1 in their last five games for a brilliantstretch drive.1957 - This undoubtedly was one of the most emotionaland dramatic seasons in 49ers history. Every game wasa cliffhanger and the Alley Oop pass from QB Y.A. Tittle torookie HB R.C. Owens became a household byword. Emotionsreached a peak when the beloved Tony Morabito collapsedand died of a heart attack at the Chicago Bears gameon Oct. 27. Trailing 17-7, the 49ers fought back for a greatvictory, 21-17. The magnificent E Billy Wilson caught a passfrom Tittle for the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.Tied with Detroit at 8-4 when the season ended, the 49erslost the playoff game, 31-27, after holding a 27-7 lead inthe third quarter.1958 - An up-and-down season finished on a high notewith victories over Green Bay and Baltimore. The 6-6 record,however, was blackened by the 33-3 and 56-7 lacings atthe hands of the Los Angeles Rams. Head coach Frankie Albertresigned at the end of the year.1959 - With Howard W. “Red” Hickey in charge, the 49erswere in contention all the way and QB John Brodie cameinto his own at quarterback when he led the team to a 21-20 upset of Cleveland. HB J.D. Smith, a converted defensiveback, became the second 49er to accumulate more than1,000 yards rushing.1960 - Howard W. “Red” Hickey saved a seemingly hopelessseason when he installed his shotgun attack and theclub captured four of its last five games, including a 30-22upset of Baltimore.1961 - The success of Howard W. Hickey’s shotgun amazedthe football world, especially in a 49-0 victory over Detroit.QB Billy Kilmer, a passing-running rookie from UCLA,was made to order for the new offense. When the shotgunstopped, QB John Brodie took over again in the T formationand had the finest season in 49ers QB annals. Indicating theevenness of NFL competition, the 49ers were playing for asecond-place tie, plus a trip to the Runner-up Bowl at Miami,or a fifth-place position on the last day of the season.The Colts again won by three points, but 1961 will remainas one of the most exciting and interesting years in 49ershistory.1962 - For the first time since 1956, the 49ers finisheda frustrating season with more defeats than victories. In sodoing, the honored adage of “it’s easier to win at home thanon the road,” proved false—the 49ers won only one of sevenat Kezar Stadium, but captured five of seven road contests.1963 - A multitude of injuries to key personnel started the49ers off to a disappointing 2-12 season. One of the victories,however, was a 20-14 upset of ultimate world championChicago, the only league defeat suffered by the Bearsall season.1964 - Club chief executive Victor P. Morabito died of aheart attack in May. Injuries to key personnel prevented the49ers from gaining enough offensive momentum to forge awinning season despite having one of the toughest defensiveunits in the league. Outstanding rookie performances by EDave Parks, QB George Mira and LB Dave Wilcox also tooksome of the sting from the 4-10 record.