NFL

The San Francisco 49ers are one of the most successful NFL football franchises in history winning five Super Bowls tying the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers for most all-time. Not only have the 49ers have great team success but also had the greatest wide-receiver ever in Jerry Rice who holds countless records, also quarterback Joe Montana who won four Super Bowls in eight season with the 49ers. Many people consider Joe Montana the greatest quarterback of all-time and it is very hard to argue against that.The San Francisco 49ers originate from the old All-American Football Conference (AFL) and were successful with a overall record of 39-15-2 but finished second to the Cleveland Browns every year. During 1950, the 49ers moved to the more prominent NFL because of the collapse of the AFL. While still a very good team, they did not produce the same results as they did in the AFL. Appearing in the playoffs in 1957 but losing to the Detroit Lions. In the early 1970′s the 49ers won three straight western division titles but eliminated by their rivals Dallas Cowboys.

As the 1970s wore on the 49ers were soon going to turn into the next football dynasty since the Pittsburgh Steelers of the decade. Coach Bill Walsh took over the team and in only three seasons the 49ers became a football power. Bill Walsh popularized the “west coast offense” which opened the field and created high scoring fast pace offense. Joe Montana was selected in the 1979 draft and quickly became of the best quarterbacks in the game. The 49ers were the team of the decade in the 1980s winning Super Bowls XVI, XIX, XXIII, and XXIV. Joe Montana along with Jerry Rice were one of the most productive tandems in NFL history. Jerry Rice is the all-time wide-receiver touchdown leader with 208, all-time receptions leader with 1,549, and many many more records. Jerry Rice will be eligible in 2012 retiring in 2006.

Joe Montana sustained a serious knee injury keeping him out of the 1992 season so Steve Young took over the quarterback position and won the Most Valuable Player award. Two years later the 49ers regained their former glory, Steve Young won another MVP award and with a Super Bowl XXIX win over the San Diego Chargers 49-26, naming him the MVP player the game.

Following their Super Bowl win in 1994 the 49ers had success appearing in the playoffs every year of the 1990′s but never gaining another Super Bowl victory. The 2000′s, unlike the 80′s and 90′s produced little success only appearing in the playoffs three times.

The San Francisco 49ers have a winning team tradition with eleven Hall of Fame players and coaches. With a NFC West being one of the weaker divisions in football, success for the 49ers can be achieved once again.