History of the San Francisco 49ers facts for kids

The San Francisco 49ers are a famous professional American football team. They were the first major sports team to be based in San Francisco and one of the first on the West Coast of the United States. The 49ers have won five NFL championships, all of them Super Bowls. They were the first team to win five Super Bowls, earning them the nickname "The Team of the Eighties" because they won four Super Bowls in that decade.

The team's name comes from the "forty-niners," the gold-seekers who rushed to the San Francisco area during the California Gold Rush in 1849.

Team History: How the 49ers Started

The Early Years (1946–1979)

Joining Professional Football

The 49ers began playing professional football in 1946. They were part of a league called the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). A man named Tony Morabito founded the team. He was one of the first people to realize that with air travel, sports teams could play across the whole country. The 49ers were actually the very first major sports team to start on the West Coast!

The 49ers were a strong team in the AAFC, but they often finished second to the dominant Cleveland Browns. In 1950, the 49ers, along with the Browns, joined the National Football League (NFL).

Playing in the NFL (1950s)

Quarterback Y. A. Tittle was a key player for the 49ers in the 1950s.

The 49ers played their first NFL game on September 17, 1950, losing to the New York Yanks. They struggled a bit at first, finishing the 1950 season with 3 wins and 9 losses. But they quickly improved, nearly reaching the championship game in 1951. By 1953, they had their best season yet with 9 wins and 3 losses, but they couldn't make it to the championship.

In 1957, the 49ers had their first real success in the NFL. During a game against the Chicago Bears, the team's owner, Tony Morabito, sadly passed away. The players learned the news at halftime. Motivated to win for him, they came back from being behind to win the game 21–17.

Later that season, in a game against the Detroit Lions, quarterback Y. A. Tittle threw a famous desperation pass into the end zone. This play, known as the "Alley Oop," was caught by R. C. Owens and helped the 49ers win. The 49ers finished the season tied for their division title, but they lost a playoff game to the Lions.

New Strategies (1960s)

The 49ers became the first NFL team to use a special play called the "shotgun formation." This is where the quarterback stands seven yards behind the center. It was invented by coach Red Hickey in 1960. This formation gave the quarterback more time to throw the ball. It helped the 49ers beat the Baltimore Colts, who weren't used to seeing it.

After some tough years, the 49ers improved in 1965, led by quarterback John Brodie. In 1968, Dick Nolan became the head coach. His first two seasons were similar to the past, but big changes were coming.

First Division Titles (1970–1972)

The 1970 season was a breakthrough for the 49ers. They started strong and won their final game against the Oakland Raiders to clinch their first-ever divisional title! They became champions of the NFC West. They then won their first playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings. This led to a big game against the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC Championship. The 49ers played well but lost 17–10.

In 1971, the 49ers moved from Kezar Stadium to Candlestick Park. They won their second straight division title with a 9–5 record. They won another playoff game, setting up a rematch with the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship. Again, the Cowboys beat them, this time 14–3.

The 49ers won their third straight NFC West championship in 1972. They faced the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs for the third year in a row. The 49ers had a big lead, but the Cowboys made an amazing comeback in the last two minutes, winning 30–28. This was a tough loss for the 49ers, and they didn't make the playoffs for the next eight seasons.

Struggles and Changes (1973–1979)

From 1973 to 1975, the 49ers had losing records. Key players like John Brodie retired, and the team struggled to find a consistent running game. In 1976, they traded for quarterback Jim Plunkett and had a good start to the season, winning 6 of their first 7 games. However, they lost four games in a row and missed the playoffs. Coach Monte Clark was fired after just one season.

The 1977 and 1978 seasons were very difficult. The team made some questionable decisions, like trading for running back O. J. Simpson, whose career was ending due to injuries. The 49ers finished 2–14 in 1978, their worst record. However, some important players who would help the team rise later, like quarterback Steve DeBerg and offensive lineman Randy Cross, started their careers with the 49ers in 1978.

The Montana and Jerry Rice Era (1979–1992)

A New Beginning with Bill Walsh (1979)

The 49ers began their amazing turnaround in 1979 with new owner Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. and head coach Bill Walsh. Walsh was known for finding great players in the draft and signing key free agents. He also brought his special "West Coast offense" to the team. This offense uses short, precise passes to move the ball down the field.

In his first draft, Walsh picked a quarterback from Notre Dame named Joe Montana. Montana was famous for leading dramatic comeback victories in college. Even though some scouts thought he was too small or didn't have a strong enough arm, Walsh saw something special in him. The Dallas Cowboys even passed on Montana, allowing the 49ers to draft him.

The 49ers still had a tough year in 1979, finishing 2–14. But there were signs of hope, with Steve DeBerg playing well and Freddie Solomon becoming a good receiver.

The Rise of Joe Montana (1980)

In 1980, the 49ers started strong but then lost many games. Coach Walsh began to switch between Steve DeBerg and Joe Montana at quarterback. He wanted Montana to get experience. The highlight of the season was a game against the New Orleans Saints. The 49ers were losing 35–7 at halftime, but Joe Montana led the team to an incredible comeback, winning 38–35 in overtime! This game showed everyone Montana's talent and he became the full-time starting quarterback.

"The Catch" and First Super Bowl Win (1981)

In 1981, the 49ers improved their defense by adding new players like Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, and Carlton Williamson. These additions, along with Joe Montana's leadership, turned the 49ers into a dominant team. They finished the season with a 13–3 record, their best ever at that time.

In the playoffs, the 49ers faced the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game. The Cowboys had beaten the 49ers in past playoff games. The 49ers were behind 27–21 with less than five minutes left. Montana led a long drive down the field. On a crucial play, he threw the ball to Dwight Clark in the end zone, who leaped up and caught it for a touchdown! This play, known as "The Catch," gave the 49ers the lead.

The Cowboys still had a chance, but the 49ers' defense made a big play, recovering a fumble to seal the victory. The 49ers went to their first Super Bowl, Super Bowl XVI, against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The 49ers playing against the Bengals in Super Bowl XVI

The 49ers won Super Bowl XVI 26–21. Joe Montana was named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the game. This win completed an amazing turnaround for the 49ers, going from one of the worst teams to Super Bowl champions in just two years! Montana became a huge star because of his ability to lead comebacks.

More Success and Playoff Heartbreak (1982–1983)

The 1982 season was shorter due to a player strike, and the 49ers finished with a losing record. In 1983, they bounced back, winning their division again with a 10–6 record. In the playoffs, they beat the Detroit Lions in a close game. However, they lost a tough NFC Championship game to the Washington Redskins, 24–21, after a big comeback attempt fell short.

A Record-Breaking Season and Super Bowl XIX (1984)

Roger Craig (middle) and Joe Montana (right) in Super Bowl XIX

The 1984 season was one of the greatest in 49ers history. They finished the regular season with an incredible 15 wins and only 1 loss, setting an NFL record for most regular season wins. In the playoffs, they dominated, shutting out the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship.

In Super Bowl XIX, the 49ers faced the Miami Dolphins and their star quarterback Dan Marino. The 49ers' defense played incredibly well, and they won the Super Bowl 38–16. Their entire group of defensive backs (Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Dwight Hicks, and Carlton Williamson) were all chosen for the Pro Bowl, which was a first in NFL history! Their overall record of 18 wins and 1 loss, including playoffs, is also an NFL record.

Adding Jerry Rice (1985–1987)

In 1985, running back Roger Craig made history by becoming the first NFL player to gain 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season. The 49ers also drafted a rookie wide receiver named Jerry Rice, who would become one of the greatest players ever. They made the playoffs but lost to the New York Giants.

In 1986, Joe Montana was injured for two months, but the team still managed to win their division. However, they lost to the New York Giants again in the playoffs. The 1987 season was shortened by a strike, but the 49ers still had the best record in the league at 13–2. Despite this, they suffered a surprising loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs. From 1987 to 1992, the 49ers had two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks on their team: Joe Montana and his backup, Steve Young.

Super Bowl XXIII and XXIV (1988–1989)

In 1988, the 49ers struggled at times but finished with a 10–6 record. They got revenge on the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the playoffs. Then, in a very cold game, they defeated the Chicago Bears 28–3 in the NFC Championship.

This sent them to Super Bowl XXIII against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game was tied late, but Joe Montana led a famous 92-yard drive, throwing the winning touchdown pass to John Taylor with only 34 seconds left! The 49ers won 20–16.

After this win, coach Bill Walsh retired, and George Seifert, his defensive coordinator, became the new head coach. In 1989, the 49ers had an incredible season, finishing 14–2. They crushed their opponents in the playoffs, beating the Minnesota Vikings 41–13 and the Los Angeles Rams 30–3. Then, they dominated the Denver Broncos 55–10 in Super Bowl XXIV, setting records for points scored and the largest win margin in a Super Bowl. Joe Montana won his third Super Bowl MVP award. This 1989 team is often considered one of the most dominant teams in NFL history.

Chasing a "Three-Peat" (1990–1992)

In 1990, the 49ers started 10–0 and finished 14–2. They were aiming for a third straight Super Bowl win. They beat the Washington Redskins in the playoffs, setting up a game against the New York Giants for the NFC Championship. In a very close game, the Giants won 15–13 after a late fumble by Roger Craig. This ended the 49ers' dream of a "three-peat."

Joe Montana then missed the next two seasons due to an elbow injury. Steve Young stepped in as quarterback. In 1991, the 49ers finished 10–6 but missed the playoffs. In 1992, Montana returned for one game, but Steve Young had become the team's new leader.

Steve Young Takes Over (1992–1998)

Montana Leaves, Young Shines (1992–1993)

After the 1992 season, with Steve Young playing so well, the 49ers decided to make Young their starting quarterback for the 1993 season. Joe Montana, a team legend, was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Fifth Super Bowl Win (1994)

In 1994, the 49ers added several star players like Deion Sanders. They had a tough start to the season, including a big loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and a loss to Joe Montana's Kansas City Chiefs. After a game where Steve Young was visibly upset, the team rallied around him. They won 10 straight games, including a big victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

The 49ers finished 13–3 and had home-field advantage in the playoffs. They easily beat the Chicago Bears. This set up a third straight NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys. The 49ers started strong, taking a 21–0 lead in the first quarter, and held on to win 38–28.

This sent them to their fifth Super Bowl, Super Bowl XXIX, against the San Diego Chargers. The 49ers dominated the game, winning and becoming the first team to win five Super Bowls! Steve Young threw a record 6 touchdown passes and was named the game's MVP. Their five Super Bowl wins in 14 seasons showed they were one of the greatest NFL teams ever.

Playoff Battles with Green Bay (1995–1998)

From 1995 to 1997, the 49ers made the playoffs every year, but they were eliminated each time by the Green Bay Packers.

In 1998, Steve Young led the 49ers to a 12–4 record. They faced the Green Bay Packers again in the Wild Card game. In a thrilling finish, Young threw a dramatic game-winning touchdown pass to Terrell Owens with only three seconds left! The 49ers won 30–27. However, they lost in the next round to the Atlanta Falcons.

A Difficult Period (1999–2010)

Changes in Ownership and Players (1999–2000)

In the late 1990s, there were some legal issues involving owner Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. His sister, Denise DeBartolo York, and her husband, Dr. John York, took over running the team.

In 1999, Steve Young suffered a serious injury that forced him to retire. Without their star quarterback, the 49ers had their first losing season since 1980. This also marked the end of an amazing period where the 49ers had won most of their games for nearly two decades. In 2000, legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice, who had played 16 seasons with the 49ers, left the team.

Brief Return to Playoffs (2001–2002)

In 2001, led by quarterback Jeff Garcia, the 49ers returned to the playoffs with a 12–4 record. However, they lost to the Green Bay Packers. In 2002, they made a huge comeback in a playoff game against the New York Giants, winning 39–38 after being down by 24 points! But they lost their next game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who went on to win the Super Bowl. After this season, head coach Steve Mariucci was fired.

Struggles Continue (2003–2010)

The period after 2002 was tough for the 49ers. They had many injuries and struggled to win games. In 2003, they finished with a losing record. Star wide receiver Terrell Owens left the team in 2004.

In 2004, the 49ers had their worst record in many years, finishing 2–14. This was the first time since 1979 that they finished last in their division. Coach Dennis Erickson was fired. Mike Nolan, whose father had coached the 49ers in the 1970s, was hired as the new head coach. He drafted quarterback Alex Smith with the first pick in the NFL Draft.

In 2005, a sad event occurred when offensive lineman Thomas Herrion passed away after a preseason game due to a heart condition. The team finished 4–12. In 2006, they showed some improvement, finishing 7–9. Running back Frank Gore had a fantastic season, setting a franchise record for rushing yards.

In 2007, former head coach Bill Walsh passed away. The team started 2–0 but then lost 8 straight games due to injuries, including one to quarterback Alex Smith. They finished 5–11.

In 2008, Mike Nolan was fired after seven games, and Mike Singletary became the interim head coach. The team improved under Singletary, winning five of their last seven games. He was named the permanent head coach for 2009.

The 49ers finished 8–8 in 2009, their first non-losing season since 2002. In 2010, they started poorly and finished 6–10. Mike Singletary was fired after the second-to-last game of the season.

The Jim Harbaugh Era (2011–2014)

Rising from Mediocrity (2011)

In 2011, Jim Harbaugh, a former NFL quarterback, was hired as head coach. He immediately believed in quarterback Alex Smith. The team started strong, winning their first game. They had a great season, finishing with a 13–3 record and winning the NFC West. This was their best record since 1997 and their first playoff appearance since 2002.

In the playoffs, they defeated the New Orleans Saints in a thrilling game. However, they lost a close NFC Championship game in overtime to the New York Giants, who went on to win the Super Bowl.

The Emergence of Colin Kaepernick (2012)

In 2012, the 49ers continued to play well. During a game where Alex Smith suffered a concussion, backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick stepped in. Kaepernick, known for his strong arm and running ability, played incredibly well. Coach Harbaugh decided to make Kaepernick the starting quarterback, even after Smith was healthy. This was a big decision!

The 49ers reached Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens. They made a huge comeback in the second half, scoring 17 points in less than five minutes. However, they fell just short, losing 34–31. This was the 49ers' first Super Bowl loss. After the season, Alex Smith was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Final Season at Candlestick Park (2013)

In 2013, the 49ers aimed to return to the Super Bowl. They had some ups and downs but finished strong, winning their last six regular season games. In their final game at Candlestick Park, they had a dramatic win over the Atlanta Falcons, with linebacker NaVorro Bowman scoring a game-winning touchdown.

The 49ers finished 12–4 and made the playoffs. They won a close Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers and then beat the Carolina Panthers in the Divisional Round. This sent them to their third straight NFC Championship game, where they faced the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers lost a tough game 23–17, with key turnovers preventing them from reaching the Super Bowl.

Harbaugh's Last Year (2014)

The 2014 season was Jim Harbaugh's last as head coach. The team struggled with injuries and inconsistent play. They finished the season 8–8 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010. After the season, Harbaugh and the 49ers decided to part ways.

Recent Years: Ups and Downs (2015–Present)

Struggles After Harbaugh (2015–2016)

Jim Tomsula was hired as head coach in 2015. The team faced many challenges, including the retirement of star linebacker Patrick Willis and other key players. They finished the season with a 5–11 record, and Tomsula was fired.

In 2016, Chip Kelly became the head coach. The team started with a big win but then lost 12 straight games, finishing 2–14. Kelly was fired after one season.

The Kyle Shanahan Era Begins (2017–Present)

In 2017, Kyle Shanahan was hired as the new head coach. The team started with nine straight losses. However, their fortunes changed when they traded for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo led the team to a five-game winning streak to end the season 6–10.

In 2018, Garoppolo suffered a season-ending injury early on, and the team struggled, finishing 4–12.

Return to the Super Bowl (2019)

The 49ers made big changes to their team in 2019, drafting defensive end Nick Bosa and adding other talented players. With Garoppolo back from injury, San Francisco started the season with an amazing 8–0 record! They finished 13–3, earning the top spot in their conference.

The team had a powerful running game and an effective passing attack. Their defense was also one of the best in the league. In the playoffs, they easily defeated the Minnesota Vikings and then beat the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game. This sent them to Super Bowl LIV, their seventh Super Bowl appearance!

In the Super Bowl, they faced the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers led for much of the game, but the Chiefs made a comeback in the fourth quarter, winning 31–20. The 49ers did not win their sixth Super Bowl, but Nick Bosa was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year for his outstanding play.

Challenges and Injuries (2020–2021)

The 2020 season was very difficult for the 49ers. Many key players, including Jimmy Garoppolo and Nick Bosa, suffered injuries or were affected by COVID-19. The team finished with a 6–10 record and missed the playoffs. Due to the pandemic, they even had to play their last three home games in Arizona.

In 2021, the 49ers drafted quarterback Trey Lance, but Jimmy Garoppolo remained the starter. The team had a tough start but finished strong, winning 7 of their last 9 games. They made a dramatic comeback against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18 to sneak into the playoffs.

The 49ers upset the Dallas Cowboys and then the #1 seeded Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. This sent them to the NFC Championship game for the second time in three years. However, they lost a close game to their division rival, the Los Angeles Rams, who went on to win the Super Bowl.

The Rise of Brock Purdy (2022)

The 2022 season was marked by many quarterback injuries. First, Trey Lance was injured in Week 2. Then, Jimmy Garoppolo was injured later in the season. This led to the emergence of rookie quarterback Brock Purdy, who was the very last player picked in the 2022 NFL Draft (sometimes called "Mr. Irrelevant").

Purdy stepped in and led the team to an amazing 5–0 record as the starter to end the regular season! He continued to win in the playoffs, setting several records for a rookie quarterback. The 49ers also traded for star running back Christian McCaffrey, who had a fantastic impact on the team.

The 49ers won their division for the first time since 2019 and swept all their division rivals. They defeated the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs. However, in the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, more quarterback injuries meant the 49ers couldn't compete, and they lost 31–7.

Key Player Moves and Super Bowl LVIII (2023)

Before the 2023 season, the 49ers lost several players to free agency, including Jimmy Garoppolo. They also traded backup quarterback Trey Lance. However, they signed star defensive end Nick Bosa to a huge contract, making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

The 49ers had another strong season and advanced to Super Bowl LVIII. In a very exciting game, they once again faced the Kansas City Chiefs. The game went into overtime, but the 49ers lost 25–22, falling short of their sixth Super Bowl title.