San Francisco 49ers All-Time Greats
The ten greatest to ever wear the red and gold - ranked, remembered, and worth collecting.
One of the NFL's original West Coast franchises, founded in 1946, the 49ers turned Bill Walsh's West Coast Offense into a decade of dominance - five Lombardi Trophies and the most elegant football of its generation. These are the ten greatest ever to wear the red and gold, ranked.
- Conference
- NFC West
- Founded
- 1946 (AAFC), joined the NFL in 1950
- Home fields
- Kezar Stadium, Candlestick Park, Levi's Stadium (2014)
- Titles
- 5 Super Bowls: XVI (1981), XIX (1984), XXIII (1988), XXIV (1989), XXIX (1994)
- Signature
- The West Coast Offense
The consensus greatest wide receiver in NFL history and the greatest 49er, holding nearly every major career receiving record. He won three Super Bowls in San Francisco and was named Super Bowl XXIII MVP.
Joe Cool led the 49ers to four Super Bowl titles and won Super Bowl MVP three times. His ice-cold poise on the game-winning drive in Super Bowl XXIII defined an era of San Francisco football.
A ferocious hitter and four-time Super Bowl champion, Lott earned All-Pro honors at both cornerback and safety. He was the emotional leader of the dynasty defense and a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
After waiting behind Montana, Young became one of the most efficient passers ever and a dynamic runner. He won league MVP twice and threw a record six touchdown passes in his Super Bowl XXIX MVP performance.
The franchise's original superstar, Perry was the first NFL player to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He remained the 49ers' all-time leading rusher for decades and reached the Hall of Fame in 1969.
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A tackling machine from the moment he arrived, Willis was named Defensive Rookie of the Year and made seven Pro Bowls in eight seasons. He anchored the defense's return to elite status and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2024.
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Young played all 14 seasons in San Francisco and was a cornerstone of the defensive line, winning a Super Bowl as a rookie. His comeback from a devastating leg injury made him a beloved franchise figure and a Hall of Famer in 2022.
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The first player ever to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season, Craig was a versatile weapon in the 49ers backfield. He won three Super Bowls and redefined the role of the modern running back.
A relentless pass rusher, Haley was the disruptive force on two of the 49ers' championship teams. He remains the only player to win five Super Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
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Known as The Italian Stallion, Leo Nomellini played 14 seasons entirely in San Francisco and never missed a game. A two-way iron man, he earned All-Pro recognition on both offense and defense and entered the Hall of Fame in 1969.
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Nicknamed The King, McElhenny was one of the most electrifying open-field runners of the 1950s. He was a charter member of the Million Dollar Backfield in San Francisco.
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Known as The Intimidator, Wilcox was a seven-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker across eleven seasons. He was renowned for shutting down tight ends in the running game.
Shop 49ers legends →Cards shown are for illustration - a genuine licensed card of each legend. The specific card of any player varies by what's in stock.
Get the 49ers All-Time Greats plaque
The franchise's legends together on a solid-wood 12x15 plaque - eight genuine licensed cards under an engraved nameplate, built and ready to hang in your fan cave.
Each plaque is built from genuine licensed cards; the exact card of each player may vary slightly from those pictured. Handmade in the USA · ships nationwide.