Reliving the Early 1970s Reign of the San Francisco 49ers

Most NFL fans are familiar with the SF 49ers’ success during the 1980s and 1990s, but only some fans realize how close the 49ers came to playing in some Super Bowls in the early 1970s.

The franchise began in 1946 in the AAFC. They did pretty well in that league, finishing with a combined 39–15–2 record during its four-year existence. They played in the AAFC Championship in 1949 but lost to the Cleveland Browns.

But as an NFL team, they were average at best. Although they had ten winning seasons from 1950 to 1969, they never played in a Championship game.

New Coach With A Plan (Dick Nolan)

The 49ers hired Dick Nolan as their Head Coach in 1968, but nothing seemed to change, as the team went 7–6–1, followed by a 4–8–2 record in 1969. But Nolan had a plan, and that plan came together in 1970.

Nine weeks into the season, the 49ers had compiled a 7–1–1 record. While the team was not overpowering anyone, they were piling up the wins, and it looked like a sure thing that they would reach the playoffs. But when they lost their next two games by a combined score of 58–20, 49er fans began to worry. The team would need to win their final three games, or they could kiss the playoffs goodbye.

They beat the Falcons 24–20, the Saints 38–27, and the Raiders 38–7 to clinch the division title. Now it was on to the playoffs to meet the Minnesota Vikings in frozen Metropolitan Stadium.

Few gave the 49ers a chance to win this game. The Vikings were the defending NFC Champions and had finished the 1970 regular season with a 12–2 record. While the 49ers had a solid team, they hadn’t dominated opponents like the Vikings. Minnesota defeated an excellent Dallas Cowboys team in a week five game, 54–13! The Vikings also had a big home-field advantage in this game.

The game time temperature was 10 degrees with a wind chill factor of minus 5. The Vikings took an early lead when Paul Krause returned a fumble recovery 22 yards for a touchdown. But the 49ers tied the score when John Brodie connected with Dick Witcher on a 24-yard touchdown pass. San Francisco held a 10–7 lead going into the fourth quarter. They increased their lead to 17–7 and held on for a 17–14 victory.

John Brodie (Quarterback) San Fransisco 49ers football card
Photo Courtesy Mark Morthier's private collection of a John Brodie (Quarterback) San Fransisco 49ers football card

1970 NFC Championship Game

It was the team’s biggest win in their 25-year history. One more win and it was on to the Super Bowl. Their opponent in the NFC Championship game would be the Dallas Cowboys. Nine games into the 1970 season, it looked like the Cowboys wouldn’t qualify for postseason play. Their record stood at 5–4, and they had lost to the Vikings and Cardinals by a combined score of 92–13! But the Cowboys rebounded and won six games in a row, including a 5–0 win over the Detroit Lions in the playoffs.

The game between Dallas and San Francisco would be the last NFL game ever played at Kezar Stadium, the home of the 49ers since 1946. The first half ended 3–3, with neither team able to generate much offense. But San Fran couldn’t stop the Cowboys running attack in the second half. Rookie of the Year Duane Thomas gained 143 yards on the ground, and fullback Walt Garrison added another 71 yards.

Dallas took a commanding 17–3 lead in the third quarter, but the 49ers weren’t dead yet. Quarterback John Brodie connected with Dick Witcher on a 26-yard touchdown pass. It was the first touchdown the “Doomsday Defense” had allowed in five games.

But that was as close as the 49ers could get to a comeback, and their brilliant season ended with a disappointing 17–10 loss. But the team could hold its head high, and the city of San Francisco had a team they could be proud of.

Offensive tackle Len Rhode, linebacker Dave Wilcox, cornerback Jimmy Johnson, receiver Gene Washington, and quarterback John Brodie made the Pro Bowl. Johnson, Washington, and Brodie also made All-Pro. Cornerback Bruce Taylor won the Defensive Rookie of the Year. John Brodie won the NFL MVP.

Bruce Taylor (Cornerback) and Gene Washington (Wide Receiver) for San Fransisco 49ers football cards
Photo credit Mark Morthier's private collection of Bruce Taylor (Cornerback) and Gene Washington (Wide Receiver) for San Fransisco 49ers football cards

On to the 1971 NFL Season

The 1971 season started poorly for the 49ers. They lost their opening game to the Falcons 20–17. After easy wins over the Saints and Eagles, they lost to the Rams 20–13. They won their next three games to up their record to 5–2.

Week eight was a rematch with the Vikings, whom they had upset in the playoffs last season. Again, the game was played in Metropolitan Stadium, and again, it was cold, with a wind chill factor of 7 degrees.

Minnesota was having another great season, going into this game with a 6–1 record. The “Purple People Eaters” defense had allowed just 26 points in their last five games. The 49ers didn’t fare much better against that defense, scoring only 13 points. But the 49ers defense was no slouch, holding the Vikings offense to three field goals.

But the team had a big letdown the following week, losing to a bad New Orleans Saints team 26–20. They lost again the following week to the Rams, dropping their record to 6–4. They won three of their next four games to win their division with a 9–5 record.

They would take on the Washington Redskins in the playoff game at their new home, Candlestick Park. Under new Head Coach George Allen, Washington was making their first postseason appearance since 1945. The Redskins held a 10–3 lead at halftime, but San Fran came back to win 24–20.

The next game, the NFC Championship, would be a rematch of last season’s championship, but this time the game was at Dallas. The game was a defensive battle, much like last year’s, but the Cowboys intercepted three John Brodie passes and walked away with a 14–3 victory.

Running back Vic Washington, receiver Gene Washington, center Forrest Blue, tight end Ted Kwalick, defensive end Cedrick Hardman, linebacker Dave Wilcox, and cornerback Jimmy Johnson made the Pro Bowl. Wilcox, Johnson, and Forrest Blue also made All-Pro.

Ted Kwalick (Tight End) and Vic Washington (Running Back) for San Fransisco 49ers football cards
Photo credit Mark Morthier's private collection of Ted Kwalick (Tight End) and Vic Washington (Running Back) for San Fransisco 49ers football cards

The 49ers' 1972 Season

1972 was a strange season for the 49ers. Sometimes, the team looked dominant, while other times, they looked lethargic.

They started the season by blasting the Chargers 34–3 and then lost to a bad Buffalo Bills team the following week. In week three, they destroyed the Saints 37–2. The Rams had an easy time with the 49ers in week four, winning 31–7. This was followed by a loss to the Giants and a tie with the Saints. In week seven, they made short work of the Falcons 49–14. Halfway through the season, the 49ers were 3–3–1 and looked like Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde.

After a week eight loss to the Packers dropped their record to 3–4–1, the 49ers won three in a row, including an impressive 31–10 beat down of the defending Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. They lost to the Rams the following week, their fifth loss in a row to LA. They beat the Falcons and Vikings to finish the season 8–5–1. Fortunately for San Fran, none of the other three teams in their division had a winning record, so the 49ers won the division and would have home-field advantage in the playoff game.

For the third year in a row, their opponent would be the Dallas Cowboys. They had beaten the Cowboys easily on Thanksgiving, and it looked like today would be no different. John Brodie was the starting quarterback for the first time since an ankle injury sidelined him in week five. The 49ers had a commanding 28–13 lead in the fourth quarter but missed a 32-yard field goal that would have made the score 31–13 and all but clinched the win for them. Led by “Captain Comeback” Roger Staubach, who missed almost the entire season due to injury, the Cowboys came roaring back to win the game 30–28.

Gene Washington, Ted Kwalick, Forrest Blue, Dave Wilcox, Jimmy Johnson, and guard Woody Peoples made the Pro Bowl. Washington, Kwalick, Blue, Wilcox, and Johnson also made All-Pro.

Charlie Krueger (Defensive Tackle) and Dave Wilcox (Linebacker) for San Fransisco 49ers football cards
Photo courtesy Mark Morthier's private collection of Charlie Krueger (Defensive Tackle) and Dave Wilcox (Linebacker) for San Fransisco 49ers football cards

The 49ers would have only one winning season in the next eight years. That would all change in 1981 when they won their first Super Bowl. But that’s a story for another time.

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Mark Morthier is the host of Yesterday’s Sports, a podcast dedicated to reliving memorable sports moments from his childhood days and beyond.  He grew up in New Jersey just across from New York City, so many of his episodes revolve around the great sport’s teams of the 70s for the New York area. 

He is also an author of No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training (Second Edition): A Guide for People with Limited Time and Running Wild: (Growing Up in the 1970s)

Mark Morthier headshot - host of Yesterday's Sports podcast on the Sports History Network

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