Ronnie Lott had the tip of his left pinky finger amputated after the 1985 season when it was crushed while tackling running back Timmy Newsome, and a bone graft surgery would not have allowed him to start the 1986 season. Although another injury sidelined him for the season's last two games in 1986, he still led the league with a career-best 10 interceptions.
In 1985, Roger Craig not only ran for 1,050 yards on 214 carries and led the NFL with 92 catches for 1,016 yards, but also scored a team high 15 touchdowns. With fullback Tom Rathman, also from Nebraska, the two formed the 49ers' "Cornfield Backfield."
George Seifert won 98 of 128 games as head coach of the 49ers from 1989 to 1996, giving him a .766 winning percentage. If he had retired instead of returning to coach the Carolina Panthers for three years, he would have finished with the second-greatest winning percentage in NFL history by a head coach, second only to Guy Chamberlin (.784).
In the 49ers' third preseason game in 2016, Colin Kaepernick sat during the playing of the U.S. national anthem as a protest against racial injustice, police brutality and systematic oppression in the country. The following week, and throughout the regular season, Kaepernick kneeled during the anthem. His protests provoked highly polarized reactions, with some praising him and his stand against racism, while others denounced the protests. His actions led to a wider protest movement, which intensified in September 2017 after President Donald Trump said that NFL owners should fire players who refuse to stand during the national anthem. Kaepernick became a free agent after the season and remained unsigned, which numerous analysts and observers have attributed to political reasons.
Kezar Stadium was the first home of the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, as well many NFL Hall of Famers, historical NFL games, and the first "alley-oop." The team moved across town to Candlestick Park in 1971.
At Kezar Stadium, the cheerleaders were called The Niner Nuggets. They were known at the time as the only singing cheerleading squad in the NFL.
After being selected by the 49ers in the first round (17th overall) of the 1970 NFL Draft, Bruce Taylor moved into the starting lineup at cornerback, across from All-Pro Jimmy Johnson. Taylor made a notable impression with three interceptions to secure Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
DE Cedrick Hardman set a San Francisco 49ers team record when he finished his 49ers career with 112.5 sacks.
Steve Young's 4,239 rushing yards are the fourth most ever gained by a quarterback, behind Michael Vick, Cam Newton, and Randall Cunningham.
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