Great Teams In The San Francisco 49 example essay topic
In 1950 is when the moved to the National Football League. They earned their name from the gold miners who surged in San Francisco, in 1849, in search for gold so they could start a new life. Their first owner, Anthony J. Morabito, who was from the University of Santa Clara alumnus, had a dream of bringing a football team to the west. He had been moderately successful in the lumber hauling business. To make this happen, Anthony was put in touch with Arch Ward, an editor of the Chicago Tribune. Mr. Ward is credited with the All-American Conference, which was first held in October 1944.
Anthony, after a long talk and negotiating with Mr. Ward, was granted a franchise with help from his younger brother, Victor, and partners in his lumbering business, Allen E. Sorrell, and E.J. Tur re ("Niner's history" web). In Morabito's first year he signed many famous and talented people such as Frankie Albert, Joe Verano, and Alyn Beals. With Lawerecneh T. (Buck) Shaw as the head coach, the 49 ers slowly but surely won continuously, as they tried to get a spot in the National Football League. In their first four years in the ACC, the 49 ers finished second behind the talent- packed Cleveland Browns. Finally, in 1950, fans celebrated for the entry of the 49 ers into the NFL. They joined great teams such as the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Colts ("Niner's history" web).
As soon as they got in, it seemed, they were making changes to make them a top contender in the league. Joined by Y.A. Tittle, and shared quarterback Frankie Albert, the 49 ers missed the Conference Finals by half game. From then on they were in the race for the prize except in the years 1955, 1956, and 1958. Just as everything looked like it would turn out great, a tragic event happened that scared players and fans for life. During a game on October 27, 1957, Tony Morabito died of a heart attack. He was at the hospital watching the 49 ers play the Chicago Bears at Kezar Stadium.
Prior to this fatality, Tony had been using help to live due to coronary occlusion. Doctors said he should quit the 49 ers for the stress was a main cause, but Tony refused because the team was his life and he had nothing else to live for. During the game, the 49 ers were down 17-7, when they were informed of Tony's death. They dedicated their play to him and they rallied back to a 21-17 upset victory. It was one of the most heartwarming comebacks ever performed.
Control of the club was passed to his widow Josephine and to Victor, his brother ("Niner's history" web). After the control of the team switched, many changes occurred. The first change was that the 49 ers got a logo on their helmet. The first logo was a prospector firing two pistols ("History of the San Francisco 49 ers" web). Many changes also occurred with the teams set up. Fans have been thrilled by performances by the "Million Dollar Backfield".
It is also because of the quarterbacking wizardry of John Brodie in the 60's. Y.A. Tittle named his passes "cliffhanger" and "Alley-Oop" which both contributed to great plays. But a team is nothing without its defense, and the 49 ers had that with great plays from the defensive head coach Jimmy Johnson in the 70's. He later joined with the Dallas Cowboys and became their head coach ("49 ers History" web). With big changes like this the stadium, in 1971, was moved from Kezar Stadium to Candlestick Park. The stadium was named this in reference to the location of the stadium of Candlestick Point. The first game played there was October 10, 1971 versus the Los Angeles Rams (now known as the Saint Louis Rams).
The field had natural grass and could seat up to 70,207 people ("49 ers History" web). A new spark began in the late 70's by the purchasing of Eddie DeBartolo Jr., an Ohio businessman. DeBartolo hired the Stanford head coach, Bill Walsh. They were the builders of the professional sport's most winning franchise over the next 15 years. DeBartolo wanted to build a winning franchise that operates with class and dignity. He provided emotional and financial support for the players and coaches.
He was Chief Executive Officer of the 49 ers from its acquisition until 1997. Under his leadership the 49 ers were named "Team of the 80's" when they won four Super Bowl titles. Their dominance extended, becoming the only NFL team to win ten or more games for sixteen consecutive seasons (1983-1998). Since 1981, 49 ers have won 13 division titles, 5 conference titles, and 5 Super Bowls. They were the first team to ever win five Super Bowls. Dallas followed them later and they are the only two teams ever to accomplish this goal.
They won the Super Bowl in 1982 (Super Bowl XVI), 1984 (Super Bowl XIX), 1988 (Super Bowl XX ), 1989 (Super Bowl XXIV), and in 1994 (Super Bowl XXIX). Only Super Bowl XVI rings in most people's mind because of the famous "The Catch ("49 ers History" web)."The Catch" was one of the most famous plays in playoff history. The date was January 10, 1982. It was the 1982 NFC Championship game between the 49 ers and the Dallas Cowboys. San Francisco 49 ers took the best record into the 1981 playoffs. They had thirteen wins and three losses for the season.
They were very worried about this game because of the 13 rookies on the roster. They were not as concerned with their third year quarterback Joe Montana. He was one of the great quarterbacks coming out of Notre Dame. They were also snake bitten, not winning a title in 35 years in the All- American Football Conference and the NFL.
"Generations have suffered" says Ronnie Lott, one of the rookie starters. Fans also doubted the team even though they crushed Dallas forty-five to fourteen early in the season. Dallas had been here for the fifteenth time in sixteenth seasons. The game was known as "a slug fest". During the game the 49 ers threw three interceptions, and had six turnovers. Dallas, who was led by Tony Dorsett, had ninety-one rushing yards which were crucial in this game.
The lead changed six times throughout the game. The fifth change came when Doug Crosbie caught a 21-yard catch from Danny White. The Cowboys took a twenty-seven to twenty-one advantage. To make it even worse they got the ball at their own eleven yard line with only four minutes and fifty-four seconds remaining in the game. But they did not let this keep them down. By the two minute warning, they were at the Dallas forty-nine yard line.
"Randy Cross, one of the 49 ers lineman, celebrated by throwing up" viewers say. He and most of the team were suffering the flu virus. During this illness Cross loss seven pounds. But they did not let a flu virus from playing in this very important game. Dallas was really tired at this point and San Francisco took advantage. They took a run around the outside just to wear down the defense, but it turned into an outstanding run for fourteen yards by Solomon.
Then they threw a couple of pass patterns to Dwight Clark and Solomon that resulted in twenty-six more yards down the field. They were now at the ten yard line and the 49 ers where in perfect scoring range. The play was a pass to Clark behind ever defender. He caught the pass right over the defense in the end zone to win the final touchdown ("NFC Championship 1982" web). It was a pass heard "round the world ("The Catch in 1981 NFC Championship" web)". His leaping catch in Candlestick Park was not just a catch.
It was known as "The Catch ("NFC Championship 1982" web)". Dwight Clark is now the director of football operations for the Cleveland Browns. He is responsible for plucking personnel from NCAA football players. But he will always be remembered for that spectacular catch. It is one of the most Replayed touchdown plays in NFL History. This was ranked #3 among the Most Memorable NFL Games ("NFC Championship 1982" web).
They were known as a dynasty. They joined the great teams of all time along with Dallas and Pittsburg. Since the loss of DeBartolo, the 49 ers were no longer a threat to the NFL ("Niner's history" web). In 2002, the ownership went to his sister Dems e DeBartolo York. In her first year they made it to the playoffs and advanced to the NFC Division Playoffs. She signed Steve Mariucci who could not finish in the playoffs.
He was released from his contract in January 15, 2003. She then hired Dennis Erickson as the fourteenth head coach of the 49 ers in February 12, 2003. As he also did not do so well, the fifteenth head coach in history on January 19, 2005. They will always be a great dynasty team.
They have changed NFL History and set an example for the new rising stars of today. Many teams have tried to step up and be noticed, but have failed. Only a few teams can call themselves and elite team. This goes for the San Francisco 49 ers.