History of San Francisco 49ers in Timeline
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team located in the San Francisco Bay Area. They compete in the NFL as part of the NFC West division. Their home games are played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The team's name is inspired by the California gold rush prospectors.
1910: Tony and Josephine Morabito Born
In 1910, Tony Morabito and Josephine V. Morabito were born.
1946: Inception of the San Francisco 49ers
In 1946, the San Francisco 49ers were established and initially wore dark or cardinal red uniforms.
1946: Team Founded
In 1946, the San Francisco 49ers were founded as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), marking the beginning of the franchise.
1948: Uniform Change to Scarlet Red and Gold
In 1948, the San Francisco 49ers switched to scarlet red jerseys and gold pants with a gold helmet featuring one red stripe.
1949: Adoption of Three Stripes on Jerseys
In 1949, the San Francisco 49ers adopted three stripes to their red jerseys and wore gold helmets and pants for their first season in the NFL.
1949: Joined NFL
In 1949, the San Francisco 49ers joined the NFL when the leagues merged, transitioning from the AAFC to the National Football League.
1950: Became Part of NFL
In 1950, the San Francisco 49ers became part of the NFL.
1951: Initial Meeting Between 49ers and Cardinals
In 1951, the San Francisco 49ers and Cardinals first met.
1953: Introduction of Red Helmets with Gold Stripe
In the 1953 season, the San Francisco 49ers introduced red helmets with a gold stripe, along with silver pants featuring a single red stripe.
1955: Unique Uniform Design with White Pants
In 1955, the San Francisco 49ers sported white pants with a black stripe bounded by two red stripes, and shadow drop numbers on their red jerseys.
1956: Introduction of White Helmets and Pants
In 1956, the San Francisco 49ers wore white helmets without stripes and white pants with a red stripe.
October 27, 1957: Tony Morabito's Death During Game
On October 27, 1957, during a game against the Chicago Bears, 49ers owner Tony Morabito collapsed and died of a heart attack at Kezar Stadium. Despite the loss, the 49ers rallied to win the game 21–17.
1957: White Jerseys on the Road
In 1957, the San Francisco 49ers wore red jerseys with gold helmets and pants at home, and for the first time, white jerseys with two red stripes and gold in the middle on the road, as dictated by the NFL.
1958: Addition of TV Numbers to Jerseys
In 1958, the San Francisco 49ers' white jersey had a single shoulder loop stripe, and TV numbers were added to the sleeves of both home and away jerseys.
1959: Switch to Red and Platinum Gold
In 1959, the San Francisco 49ers switched to red and platinum gold, and their white jerseys featured double shoulder loop stripes.
1960: Addition of Northwestern Stripes to Helmets
In 1960, the San Francisco 49ers added "Northwestern" red stripes to their helmets.
1960: Shotgun Formation Introduced
In 1960, the San Francisco 49ers introduced the shotgun formation, devised by coach Red Hickey, for the first time against the Baltimore Colts. The formation allowed the quarterback extra time to throw.
1961: Fast Start Using Shotgun Formation
In 1961, the 49ers had a fast 4-1 start, primarily using the shotgun formation, including two shutouts in back-to-back weeks.
1962: Iconic 'SF' logo introduced
From 1962, the 49ers' logo has been the iconic "SF" within the center of a red oval.
1962: Frustrating Season
In 1962, the 49ers had a frustrating season as they won only 6 games that year.
1962: Introduction of the Modern Helmet Design
In 1962, the San Francisco 49ers introduced the helmet design they've mostly worn since, featuring a white stripe bounded by two red stripes, with the red oval and SF logo on the sides.
May 10, 1964: Victor Morabito's Death
On May 10, 1964, Victor Morabito died at age 45.
1964: Change to '49er Gold' and New Pant Design
In 1964, the San Francisco 49ers changed all silver elements to '49er Gold', and introduced new beige-gold pants with a red-white-red tri-stripe.
1965: Alternate logo created for marketing purposes
In 1965, an alternate logo with a shield-shaped crest formed from the number "49", with a football in the upper right quadrant and "SF" in the lower-left quadrant was created and used for marketing purposes.
1965: Rebounded Season
In 1965, the 49ers rebounded to finish with a 7-6-1 record, led by John Brodie, who threw for 3,112 yards and 30 touchdowns.
1966: Lou Spadia Named Team President
In 1966, the Morabito widows named Lou Spadia team president.
1967: 49ers Defeat Raiders in Exhibition Game
In 1967, the NFL San Francisco 49ers defeated the AFL Oakland Raiders 13–10 in their first exhibition game, beginning the "Battle of the Bay".
1968: Walsh Joins the Bengals
In 1968, Bill Walsh joined the Cincinnati Bengals and served as Paul Brown's offensive coordinator.
1968: Dick Nolan Hired
In 1968, the San Francisco 49ers hired Dick Nolan, formerly the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator, as their head coach.
1969: Worst Record Since 1969
In 1973, the 49ers had their worst record since 1969.
1969: Kansas City Chiefs first championship victory since 1969.
In Super Bowl LIV, the 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 31–20, resulting in the Chiefs' first championship victory since 1969.
1970: Playoff Appearances
From 1970 to 1972, Dick Nolan led the 49ers to three consecutive playoff appearances.
1970: Division Champions
From 1970, the San Francisco 49ers have been division champions 22 times.
1970: 49ers Win Against Raiders After Merger
In 1970, after the merger, the San Francisco 49ers won against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland with a score of 38–7.
1970: Started Season 7-1-1
In 1970, the 49ers started out the season 7–1–1, with their only loss a one-point defeat to Atlanta.
1970: Won First Divisional Title
In 1970, the 49ers won their first divisional title after defeating the Oakland Raiders 38-7. They then won their divisional playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings 17-14 but lost to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship game 17-10. Nolan was also named NFL Coach of the Year for 1970.
1970: Cowboys defeat 49ers in NFC Championship
In 1970, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game, contributing to a long-standing rivalry.
1970: Teams Placed in Opposite Conferences
In 1970, the San Francisco 49ers and the Cleveland Browns were placed in opposite conferences, diminishing their rivalry from the AAFC years.
1970: Started Gradual Change to Serifed Block Numerals
In 1970, the San Francisco 49ers started a gradual change over from sans-serif to serifed block numerals on the jerseys.
1970: AFL-NFL Merger
In 1972, the San Francisco 49ers were the only franchise to win their first three divisional titles after the 1970 AFL–NFL merger.
1970: Best Start Since 1970
In 1976, the 49ers started the season 6-1 for their best start since 1970.
1971: Won Second Straight Divisional Title
In 1971, the 49ers won their second straight divisional title with a 9–5 record and defeated the Washington Redskins in the divisional playoff game, setting up a rematch against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship game, where they lost 14-3.
1971: Cowboys defeat 49ers in NFC Championship
In 1971, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game, further intensifying their rivalry.
1971: Moved to Candlestick Park
In 1971, the San Francisco 49ers relocated to Candlestick Park, moving from their original home at Kezar Stadium.
1972: Playoff Appearances
From 1970 to 1972, Dick Nolan led the 49ers to three consecutive playoff appearances.
1972: Cowboys defeat 49ers in Divisional Playoff Game
In 1972, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Playoff Game, continuing their dominance in the early stages of the rivalry.
1972: Won Third Consecutive NFC West Title
In 1972, the San Francisco 49ers won their third consecutive NFC West title and faced the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional playoffs, losing a close game 30-28 after a late comeback by the Cowboys.
1972: Alternate logo discontinued
In 1972, the alternate logo created in 1965 was discontinued for marketing purposes.
1973: Ended Run at Top of NFC West
In 1973, the 49ers ended their run at the top of the NFC West, falling to a 5–9 record, their worst since 1969.
1974: Completed Gradual Change to Serifed Block Numerals
By 1974, the San Francisco 49ers completed the change from sans-serif to serifed block numerals on the jerseys.
1974: Drafted Wilbur Jackson
In 1974, the 49ers drafted Wilbur Jackson to be the team's primary back, and he led the team with 705 yards rushing. They put together a respectable 6–8 record.
1975: Walsh Leaves the Bengals
In 1975, Bill Walsh was not appointed as Paul Brown's successor with the Cincinnati Bengals.
1975: Nolan's Final Season, Trade for Plunkett
In 1975, the 49ers dropped to 5-9 in what would be Dick Nolan's final season as coach. Following the season, the 49ers traded for New England Patriots quarterback Jim Plunkett and brought on Monte Clark as head coach.
1976: One of Best Running Games in NFL
In 1976, the 49ers featured one of the best running games in the NFL and started the season 6-1 for their best start since 1970.
1976: Switch to Thick Pant Striping
In 1976, the San Francisco 49ers switched from thin stripes to very thick pant striping. White jerseys were also worn at home for most of that season.
March 1977: Sale to DeBartolo Family
In March 1977, the San Francisco 49ers were sold to Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. Following the sale, head coach Clark was fired by newly hired general manager Joe Thomas after only one season, despite the team finishing with a winning record of 8–6.
1977: Consecutive Games Scored
From 1977 to 2004, the San Francisco 49ers scored in 420 consecutive games.
1977: Walsh Hired by Stanford University
In 1977, Bill Walsh was hired by Stanford University.
1977: Notre Dame wins national title
In 1977, Joe Montana led the Fighting Irish to the national title
1977: Questionable Moves by Joe Thomas
In 1977, the San Francisco 49ers had a disappointing season, finishing 5-9 under coach Ken Meyer. Joe Thomas made questionable moves, acquiring O.J. Simpson, trading Delvin Williams, releasing Jim Plunkett, and firing coach Meyer after only one season.
1978: Disastrous Season and Key Player Arrivals
In 1978, the San Francisco 49ers had a disastrous season, finishing 2-14. Rookie quarterback Steve DeBerg became the starting quarterback. Running back Paul Hofer and center/guard Randy Cross also started with the 49ers.
1978: Bill Walsh Hired as Head Coach
In the 1978 off-season, Bill Walsh was hired as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
1979: Walsh Hired by the 49ers
In 1979, Bill Walsh was hired by the San Francisco 49ers after coaching at Stanford University since 1977.
1979: Bobb McKittrick joins 49ers
In 1979, Bobb McKittrick began his tenure as the 49ers' offensive line coach.
1979: Cotton Bowl Classic
In 1979, Joe Montana led a comeback victory in the Cotton Bowl Classic, throwing a touchdown pass on the game's final play to win 35-34.
1979: Last Place Finish
In 1979, the 49ers finished last in the NFC West for the first time, ending the NFL's longest active streak for not finishing last in a division.
1979: Playoff Drought
In 2000, the 49ers missed the playoffs for the second straight season for the first time since 1979 and 1980.
1979: Drafting Joe Montana and Dwight Clark
In the 1979 draft, the San Francisco 49ers drafted Joe Montana in the third round and Dwight Clark in the 10th round. The Dallas Cowboys passed on Montana, opting for Doug Cosbie instead.
1979: Worst Start Since 1979
The 2010 season started with the 49ers going 0-5, their worst start since the dark days of 1979.
1980: Alternating Quarterbacks and Strong Start
In 1980, the San Francisco 49ers started strong, winning their first three games. Coach Walsh alternated between quarterbacks Steve DeBerg and Joe Montana.
1980: First Losing Season Since 1980
In 1999, the 49ers suffered their first losing season in a non-strike year since 1980, which was also the last time the 49ers did not win at least ten or more games in a season.
1980: Playoff Drought
In 2000, the 49ers missed the playoffs for the second straight season for the first time since 1979 and 1980.
1980: Incredible Comeback Victory Against Saints
In Week 14 of 1980, the San Francisco 49ers, led by Joe Montana, completed an incredible comeback victory against the New Orleans Saints, winning 38-35 in overtime after trailing 35-7 at halftime. Montana won the quarterback job full-time as a result.
1981: The Catch: 49ers defeat Cowboys in NFC Championship
In 1981, Joe Montana completed a game-winning pass to Dwight Clark, known as "The Catch", in the final minute of the NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys, marking a significant moment in NFL history and a 49ers victory.
1981: Start of Super Bowl winning run
In 1981, the 49ers started their run of five Super Bowl wins in 14 seasons (1981–1994), solidifying them as one of the NFL's great dynasties.
1981: 49ers defeat Giants in Divisional Round
In 1981, the Joe Montana-led San Francisco 49ers defeated the New York Giants 38–24 in the divisional round at Candlestick Park. The 49ers went on to win their first Super Bowl championship that season.
1981: Super Bowl XVI Champions
In 1981, the San Francisco 49ers had a remarkable season, finishing 13-3. They won Super Bowl XVI against the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21, completing a dramatic turnaround in NFL history. Joe Montana won MVP honors.
1982: Raiders Upset Defending Super Bowl Champion 49ers
In 1982, the Oakland Raiders upset the defending Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, winning 23–17.
1982: Retrogression and Losing Season
The 1982 season was a retrogression for the San Francisco 49ers; the team lost all five games at Candlestick Park en route to a 3–6 record in a strike-shortened season.
1983: NFC Western Divisional Title
In 1983, the San Francisco 49ers finished 10-6 and won their second NFC Western Divisional Title in three years. They lost to the Washington Redskins in the NFC championship game, 24-21.
1984: 49ers defeat Giants in Divisional Round
In 1984, the Joe Montana-led San Francisco 49ers defeated the New York Giants 21–10 in the divisional round at Candlestick Park. The 49ers went on to win their second Super Bowl championship that season.
1984: Super Bowl XIX Champions
In 1984, the San Francisco 49ers had one of the greatest seasons in team history, finishing the regular season 15-1. They won Super Bowl XIX, beating the Miami Dolphins 38-16.
1985: Dominance of the 1985 Chicago Bears
In 1985, the Chicago Bears displayed a sustained dominance, reflected in their average margin of victory, a feat the 49ers aimed to replicate during their successful 1994 season.
1985: Regular Season Wins Record
In 1985, the Chicago Bears equaled the record for most regular-season wins, a record previously set by the San Francisco 49ers in 1984.
September 15, 1986: Joe Montana Placed on Injured Reserve
On September 15, 1986, following a severe back injury, the 49ers placed Joe Montana on the injured reserve list. Jeff Kemp then took over as the starting quarterback. The 49ers went 4–3–1 in September and October.
1986: Giants defeat 49ers
In 1986, the New York Giants defeated the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 49–3 at Giants Stadium.
1988: Bill Walsh retires after winning Super Bowl.
In 1988, Bill Walsh retired as head coach of the 49ers after winning his third Super Bowl.
1988: Headquarters in Santa Clara
Since 1988, the 49ers have been headquartered in Santa Clara.
1989: Regular Design Era
From 1989 to 1995, the San Francisco 49ers used the red and white jerseys and beige-gold pants with thick striping.
1989: George Seifert wins Super Bowl in his first year as head coach
In 1989, George Seifert won the Super Bowl in his first year as the head coach of the 49ers, succeeding Bill Walsh.
1989: Black outlining added to 'SF' logo
In 1989, a black outlining was added to the intertwined "SF" in the 49ers' logo.
1989: Loma Prieta Earthquake
In 1989, the San Francisco Bay Area was impacted by the Loma Prieta earthquake.
January 14, 1990: 49ers Crush Rams in NFC Championship Game
On January 14, 1990, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 30–3 in the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park, advancing to Super Bowl XXIV.
1990: 49ers start season 10-0
In 1990, the 49ers started the season with a 10-0 record, but eventually lost in the NFC Championship Game.
1990: Giants Upset 49ers in NFC Championship
In 1990, the New York Giants upset the San Francisco 49ers 15–13 in the NFC Championship, ruining the 49ers' hopes of a Super Bowl three-peat after Roger Craig lost a fumble late in the fourth quarter. The Giants went on to win their first Super Bowl championship that season.
1990: First Time since 1990
The 49ers beat the Packers in Lambeau Field week 1 for the first time since 1990, and again in the NFC Divisional game that same season.
December 28, 1992: Joe Montana Returns to Play
On December 28, 1992, Joe Montana returned to play in the second half of a Monday night game versus the Detroit Lions after recovering from an elbow injury. Montana completed 15 of 21 passes for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns, contributing to the 49ers' 24-6 victory.
1992: Cowboys and 49ers Face Each Other in NFC Championship
In 1992, the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers faced each other in the NFC Championship game, marking the beginning of an intense three-year stretch where the winner of their matchup went on to win the Super Bowl.
1993: 49ers Defeat Giants in Divisional Round
In 1993, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the New York Giants 44–3 in the divisional round.
1994: George Seifert wins another Super Bowl.
In 1994, George Seifert won one more Super Bowl with the 49ers.
1994: Star free agents added and Super Bowl XXIX win
In 1994, the 49ers added star free agents and won Super Bowl XXIX against the San Diego Chargers 49–26, with Steve Young named MVP. They finished the season with a 13-3 record.
1994: Super Bowl Championship
In 1994, the San Francisco 49ers won a Super Bowl championship.
1994: 49ers Win NFC Championship Against Cowboys
In 1994, the San Francisco 49ers won their NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys, the third of three pivotal matchups where the victor went on to win the Super Bowl.
1994: Throwback Uniforms for NFL's 75th Anniversary
In 1994, the San Francisco 49ers wore a version of their 1955 uniforms as throwback uniforms to celebrate the NFL's 75th anniversary. These included simpler sans-serif block numerals outlined and shadowed in black with White pants with thinner red-black-red striping and the old striped red socks.
1994: Style inspiration for new alternate uniform
In 2018, the 49ers unveiled a new alternate uniform, discarding their all-black alternates in favor of an all-white alternate. It was made in the style of 1994.
1994: Throwback Uniform inspiration
In 2021, the 49ers unveiled a red version of the 1994 throwback uniforms for use in select home games, with the white version now worn exclusively on the road.
1994: NFC Championship Appearance
The 49ers reached the NFC Championship game in 1994. In 1997, the 49ers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 38–22, advancing to the NFC championship game for the first time since 1994.
1995: Playoff Appearance and Divisional Round Elimination
In 1995, the 49ers finished with a 11–5 record, won the division, and made the playoffs, but were eliminated by the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round.
1995: Packers Upset 49ers in NFC Divisional Game
In 1995, the Green Bay Packers upset the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional game at Candlestick Park, ending any chance of a Super Bowl repeat.
1995: End of an Era for the San Francisco 49ers Uniforms
In 1995, the uniform ensemble of red and white jerseys, and beige-gold pants with thick striping were worn until the end of the season for the San Francisco 49ers.
1996: Gold trimming added to 'SF' logo
In 1996, gold trimming was added inside the oval of the 49ers' logo.
1996: Another Playoff Appearance and Divisional Round Elimination
In 1996, the 49ers finished with a 12–4 record and made the postseason, but were eliminated by the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round.
1996: New Uniform Design and Commemorative Patch
In 1996, the San Francisco 49ers celebrated their 49th anniversary with a commemorative jersey patch and debuted a new uniform design. The team also changed the shade of red used in their jerseys from bright scarlet to a deeper, cardinal red, and black dropshadow effect was added to the jersey numerals, and the Niners donned white pants full-time.
1996: Regular Uniforms
In 1996, the San Francisco 49ers wore the helmet and jersey design along with the 1998 gold pants.
January 17, 1997: Seifert Resigns, Mariucci Hired
On January 17, 1997, George Seifert resigned as 49ers head coach, and on the same day, Steve Mariucci was hired as his replacement.
1997: Continued Use of White Pants
In 1997, the San Francisco 49ers continued to wear white pants, matching the striping on the helmets.
1997: NFC Championship Appearance
In 2011, the 49ers reached the NFC championship for the first time since 1997.
1997: 49ers clinch NFC West and number one seed for the first time since 1997.
On December 29, 2019, the 49ers defeated the Seahawks 26–21 to clinch the NFC West and the number one seed for the first time since 1997.
1997: Steve Mariucci
Since 1997, Steve Mariucci was the 49ers head coach.
1998: Switch Back to Gold Pants
For the 1998 regular-season opener, the San Francisco 49ers switched back to gold pants, with a more metallic gold and "SF" logos placed on both sides of the hip.
1998: DeBartolo's Suspension
In 1998, Eddie DeBartolo Jr. pleaded guilty to a failure to report a felony charge and was suspended from active control of the 49ers for one year.
1998: Garrison Hearst's Injury
In 1998, Garrison Hearst broke his ankle in the divisional playoffs, leading to his retirement before eventually making a comeback in 2001.
1998: Jerry Rice returns from injury
In 1998, Jerry Rice returned from his knee injury in week 1 against the New York Jets. The 49ers had the 2nd most productive offense in league history, and Garrison Hearst had a 96-yard touchdown run in overtime.
1998: Regular Season Wins Record
In 1998, the Minnesota Vikings equaled the record for most regular-season wins, a record previously set by the San Francisco 49ers in 1984.
1998: 1998 Minnesota Vikings scoring record
In 1998, the Minnesota Vikings scored 556 regular-season points, but only 68 postseason points, for a total of 624 points, the second-highest mark in NFL history at the time. The 1994 49ers scored 495 regular-season points and 131 postseason points for a total of 626.
1998: 49ers Exact Revenge in NFC Wild Card Round
In 1998, the San Francisco 49ers exacted revenge in the NFC Wild Card round with a 30–27 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
1998: Regular Uniforms
In 1998, the San Francisco 49ers wore the helmet and jersey design with the 1998 gold pants.
1998: Falcons defeat 49ers in Divisional Round After Hearst's Injury
In the 1998 divisional round playoff game between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers, Garrison Hearst suffered a severe ankle break, and the 49ers lost the game 20–18.
1998: First 2-0 start since 1998
The 49ers started the 2007 season 2-0, for the first time since 1998.
September 27, 1999: Steve Young's Career-Ending Concussion
On September 27, 1999, San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Steve Young suffered a career-ending concussion in a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
1999: Steve Young's Career-Ending Injury and Retirement
In 1999, Steve Young suffered a career-ending injury during a game against the Arizona Cardinals, leading to his retirement. Jeff Garcia took over as starting quarterback.
1999: 49ers Personnel Help Browns Relaunch
In 1999, former San Francisco 49ers president and CEO Carmen Policy and vice president/director of football operations Dwight Clark were hired by the expansion Cleveland Browns to help with their relaunch.
2000: Jeff Garcia Becomes Starting Quarterback
In 2000, Jeff Garcia was named the starting quarterback for the 49ers and set a franchise record with 4,278 passing yards. Jerry Rice's final year with the 49ers.
2000: Yorks Take Controlling Interest
In 2000, a settlement led Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to surrender controlling interest of the 49ers to the Yorks, with Denise York becoming chair of the board and John York becoming CEO.
2000: Occasional Meetings Between 49ers and Cardinals
Up until 2000, the San Francisco 49ers and Cardinals met occasionally.
2001: Playoff Berth and Garrison Hearst's Comeback
In 2001, the 49ers finished with a 12–4 record and earned a wildcard berth, with Garrison Hearst returning after a severe injury and winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
2001: Defense Performance
In 2001, the 49ers' defense had a bounce-back year, going from the 28th-ranked defense in 2000, to the 9th-ranked in 2001.
2001: Packers Beat 49ers in Post-Season Game
In 2001, the Green Bay Packers beat the San Francisco 49ers in the post-season.
2002: Falcons Move to NFC South
In 2002, the Atlanta Falcons moved to the NFC South after realignment, ending their run as a division rival with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.
2002: Divisional Realignment and Playoff Appearance
In 2002, the NFL underwent divisional realignment, with the 49ers winning the NFC West. They defeated the New York Giants in a memorable Wild Card game but lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional round.
2002: Teams Placed in NFC West Division
In 2002, the San Francisco 49ers and Cardinals were placed in the NFC West division, leading to a full-fledged rivalry.
2002: Teams Relocated into Same Division
In 2002, the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks were relocated into the same division as part of the NFL's realignment.
2002: 49ers Comeback Victory Against Giants in NFC Wildcard Game
In the 2002 NFC wildcard game, the New York Giants were ahead 38–14 late in the third quarter; however, the San Francisco 49ers came back from the 24-point deficit to beat the Giants with a 39–38 victory.
2002: First Non-Losing Season Since 2002
The 49ers posted an 8-8 record in 2009, marking the team's first non-losing season since 2002.
2003: Turmoil and Disappointment
The 2003 season was marked by turmoil for the 49ers. Despite a strong start with a 49-7 victory over Chicago, the team's performance declined, and the relationship between Garcia and Owens deteriorated. Injuries to key players further hampered the team, and the 49ers finished the 2003 season with a 7-9 record, missing the playoffs.
2004: Consecutive Games Scored
From 1977 to 2004, the San Francisco 49ers scored in 420 consecutive games.
2004: Franchise-Worst Record and Firings
In 2004, Owens was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, and several key players were released due to salary cap concerns. The 49ers finished the 2004 season with a franchise-worst 2-14 record, securing the first pick in the NFL Draft. Subsequently, Dennis Erickson and general manager Terry Donahue were fired.
2004: Regular Season Wins Record
In 2004, the Pittsburgh Steelers equaled the record for most regular-season wins, a record previously set by the San Francisco 49ers in 1984.
2005: Alex Smith Drafted
In the 2005 NFL draft, the 49ers selected quarterback Alex Smith with the first overall pick. Smith's rookie season was difficult, and the team finished 4-12.
2005: Training Camp Since 2005
The 2009 training camp became the first since 2005 that the 49ers failed to have all drafted rookies signed and in training camp on time.
November 8, 2006: 49ers end stadium negotiations with San Francisco
On November 8, 2006, the 49ers ended negotiations with the city of San Francisco regarding the construction of a new stadium, opting to pursue the project in Santa Clara. This decision effectively ended San Francisco's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
2006: Dilfer Wears No. 12 as Tribute
From 2006 to 2007, Trent Dilfer wore No. 12 with Brodie's permission, unofficially unretiring the number as a tribute to his long-time friend.
2006: Gore's Record-Breaking Season
In 2006, Frank Gore had a record-breaking season with 1,695 rushing yards, leading the NFC and earning him his first Pro Bowl appearance. The 49ers swept the Seattle Seahawks and kept the Denver Broncos from a playoff berth, but finished 7-9.
2007: Death of Bill Walsh and Smith's Injury
Before the 2007 season, Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh passed away. Alex Smith suffered a separated shoulder in a game against the Seattle Seahawks, leading to an early end to his 2008 campaign after surgery. The 49ers finished the 2007 season with a 5-11 record.
2007: Dilfer Wears No. 12 as Tribute
From 2006 to 2007, Trent Dilfer wore No. 12 with Brodie's permission, unofficially unretiring the number as a tribute to his long-time friend.
2007: Regular Season Wins Record
In 2007, the New England Patriots broke the record for most regular-season wins, a record previously set by the San Francisco 49ers in 1984.
2007: New England Patriots broke the scoring record
In 2007, the New England Patriots broke the total regular-season and post-season combined points scored record, previously held by the 1994 49ers.
October 20, 2008: Mike Nolan Fired, Singletary Named Interim Coach
On October 20, 2008, after a 2-5 start, Mike Nolan was fired as head coach. Mike Singletary was named as the interim head coach and gave a memorable post-game interview.
2008: Rivalry Ranked Among Top NFL Rivalries
In 2008, Sports Illustrated ranked the rivalry between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers No. 8 on its "Top 10 NFL Rivalries of All Time" list.
2008: Regular Uniforms
Until the end of the 2008 season, the San Francisco 49ers wore the helmet and jersey design with the 1998 gold pants.
April 25, 2009: Crabtree Drafted
On April 25, 2009, the 49ers selected Michael Crabtree with the 10th pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft.
October 7, 2009: Crabtree Signs Contract
On October 7, 2009, Michael Crabtree reached a contract agreement with the 49ers, after missing the first four games of the regular season.
2009: Beginning of 49ers' Dominance
From 2009, the San Francisco 49ers won nine of ten meetings between 2009 and 2013.
2009: Uniform Change
In 2009, the San Francisco 49ers changed uniforms, with sleeve stripes set at an angle.
2009: Singletary's Offseason Hire
Jimmy Raye had been hand-picked by Singletary in the 2009 offseason.
June 8, 2010: Measure J passes in Santa Clara
On June 8, 2010, Measure J, concerning the construction of a new stadium in Santa Clara as the future home of the San Francisco 49ers, passed with 58.2% of the vote. This was a crucial initial step in the 49ers' stadium relocation plan.
December 27, 2010: Singletary Fired
On December 27, 2010, the 49ers fired Mike Singletary as head coach and named Jim Tomsula as interim head coach for the last game of the season.
2010: Five 49ers Go to the Pro Bowl
In 2010, five 49ers players, including Patrick Willis, Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, Justin Smith, and Andy Lee, were selected for the Pro Bowl.
January 4, 2011: Baalke Promoted to General Manager
On January 4, 2011, Jed York promoted Trent Baalke to be the permanent general manager of the 49ers.
January 7, 2011: Harbaugh Hired as Head Coach
On January 7, 2011, Jim Harbaugh was named the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
August 20, 2011: Raiders-49ers Pre-Season Game Marked by Violence
On August 20, 2011, the pre-season game between the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers was marked by fights in restrooms and stands at Candlestick Park, including a shooting outside the stadium in which several were injured. The NFL decided to cancel all future pre-season games between the Raiders and 49ers.
November 9, 2011: 49ers confirm stadium construction in Santa Clara.
On November 9, 2011, the 49ers confirmed in a press conference that a new, state-of-the-art stadium would be built in Santa Clara, with plans for it to be ready for the 2014 season.
2011: Kaepernick Drafted
Colin Kaepernick was the 49ers' 2011 second-round pick.
2011: Harbaugh's Successful First Season and Playoff Run
In 2011, after a labor dispute, the 49ers re-signed Alex Smith. Harbaugh's first season was highly successful, with the team finishing 13-3 and winning the NFC West, ending a nine-year playoff drought. They defeated the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Playoffs but lost to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship.
2011: Regular Season Wins Record
In 2011, the Green Bay Packers equaled the record for most regular-season wins, a record previously set by the San Francisco 49ers in 1984.
2011: Giants Defeat 49ers in NFC Championship
In 2011, the New York Giants won the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park with a score of 20–17 in overtime, on a Lawrence Tynes 31-yard field goal. Kyle Williams fumbled a punt in the crucial minutes of the game. The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl.
2011: Harbaugh Hired by 49ers
In 2011, the San Francisco 49ers hired Jim Harbaugh out of Stanford, intensifying the rivalry with Seattle Seahawks and former USC head coach Pete Carroll.
2011: Playoff Drought ends
The 2002 playoff apperance was the last postseason appearance for the 49ers until the 2011–12 playoffs.
April 3, 2012: Debut of Updated Uniform by Nike
On April 3, 2012, the San Francisco 49ers debuted an updated uniform with improved fit and breathable fabrics, manufactured by Nike, along with the rest of the NFL teams.
April 19, 2012: Groundbreaking for the new stadium in Santa Clara
On April 19, 2012, groundbreaking for the new San Francisco 49ers stadium took place in Santa Clara, marking the commencement of its construction.
2012: Kaepernick Takes Over and Super Bowl Run
In 2012, Alex Smith suffered a concussion, and Colin Kaepernick took over as quarterback. Kaepernick started the rest of the season, leading the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII, where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens 34-31.
2012: 49ers Beat Packers in Lambeau Field
In 2012, the San Francisco 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field week 1 and again in the NFC Divisional game that same season.
2012: 49ers Defeat Falcons in NFC Championship
In 2012, the San Francisco 49ers, led by quarterback Colin Kaepernick, defeated the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta by a score of 28–24 in the NFC Championship.
2012: Advancing to their first Super Bowl since 2012.
On January 19, 2020, the 49ers beat the Packers 37–20, advancing to their first Super Bowl since 2012.
2012: Reliability of Kicker David Akers
Towards the end of the 2012 season was the reliability of kicker David Akers who began to show signs of decline with a below-average conversion percentage of 69%.
March 6, 2013: Akers Released, Dawson Signed
On March 6, 2013, the 49ers released David Akers and signed Phil Dawson.
May 8, 2013: Levi Strauss & Co. purchases naming rights to new stadium
On May 8, 2013, the San Francisco 49ers announced that Levi Strauss & Co. had secured the naming rights to their new stadium in Santa Clara, in a deal worth $220.3 million over 20 years, with an option to extend for another five years at around $75 million.
2013: End of 49ers' Dominance
In 2013, the San Francisco 49ers ended their dominance, with nine of ten meetings between 2009 and 2013.
2013: Seahawks Advance to Super Bowl After NFC Championship Win
In 2013, the Seattle Seahawks advanced to Super Bowl XLVIII after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
2013: First playoff game since 2013.
In their first playoff game since 2013, against the Minnesota Vikings, they dominated the Vikings, defeating them 27–10.
2013: Wildcard Playoff Berth
The 49ers finished 12-4 in the 2013 regular season and entered the playoffs as a wildcard.
January 5, 2014: Playoff Victory against Green Bay
On January 5, 2014, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers 23-20 in the playoffs.
January 12, 2014: Playoff Victory against Carolina
On January 12, 2014, the 49ers defeated the Carolina Panthers 23-10, advancing to their third straight NFC championship game.
December 28, 2014: Harbaugh and 49ers Part Ways
On December 28, 2014, after the season's final game, Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers decided to part ways.
2014: Beginning of Cardinals' Dominance
From 2014, the Arizona Cardinals won eight straight meetings between 2014 and 2018.
2014: Dawson and McCoy Sign with 49ers
In 2014, long-time Cleveland Browns placekicker Phil Dawson and backup quarterback Colt McCoy signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
2014: Moved to Levi's Stadium
In 2014, the San Francisco 49ers moved to Levi's Stadium, their current home, from Candlestick Park.
2014: Target Season for New Stadium
The 49ers aimed to have the new stadium ready in Santa Clara in time for the 2014 season.
January 14, 2015: Jim Tomsula hired as head coach
On January 14, 2015, Jim Tomsula was hired as the head coach of the 49ers, replacing Jim Harbaugh. Subsequently, Geep Chryst was promoted to offensive coordinator, and Eric Mangini was appointed as defensive coordinator.
March 10, 2015: Patrick Willis announces his retirement
On March 10, 2015, All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis announced his retirement from the NFL, citing repeated injuries to both feet.
April 30, 2015: Unveiling of First Alternate Uniform
On April 30, 2015, the San Francisco 49ers unveiled their first-ever alternate uniform, featuring black jerseys and pants with red numerals and striping, and Nike logos in gold.
2015: 49ers finish with a 5-11 season
In 2015, the 49ers struggled to a 5–11 season, scoring only 238 points. Colin Kaepernick ended the season on injured reserve after being benched, and the team was ultimately eliminated from postseason contention in Week 14.
January 4, 2016: Jim Tomsula fired as head coach
On January 4, 2016, the 49ers fired head coach Jim Tomsula after he led the team to a 5–11 record.
January 14, 2016: Chip Kelly hired as head coach
On January 14, 2016, Chip Kelly was hired as the head coach of the 49ers.
October 21, 2016: 49ers ranked as worst franchise in North America by ESPN
On October 21, 2016, ESPN ranked the 49ers as the worst professional sports franchise in North America.
December 24, 2016: 49ers narrowly defeat the Rams
On December 24, 2016, the 49ers narrowly defeated the Los Angeles Rams 22–21, ending a franchise-record 13-game losing streak.
2016: Kaepernick starts kneeling trend during national anthem
In 2016, Colin Kaepernick initiated a trend of kneeling during the playing of the national anthem to protest the treatment of minorities in the United States, which subsequently spread throughout the NFL.
2016: San Francisco bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics ended.
In 2016, San Francisco's bid to host the Summer Olympics came to an end after the 49ers decided to move stadium negotiations to Santa Clara. Ultimately, Chicago was selected as the U.S. Olympic Committee's choice to bid on the 2016 games.
2016: Rams Return to Los Angeles
In 2016, the Los Angeles Rams returned to Los Angeles, intensifying the geographic animosity in their rivalry with the San Francisco 49ers.
2016: 49ers shut out the Rams.
In Week 1 of the 2016 season, the 49ers shut out the Los Angeles Rams, marking the first time the team had shut out an opponent since.
October 2017: Vice President Mike Pence walks out of 49ers game
In October 2017, Vice President Mike Pence walked out of a 49ers game upon seeing players kneel during the national anthem.
2017: 49ers trade for Jimmy Garoppolo, Garoppolo becomes starter, 49ers win final five games
In 2017, after starting the season with nine consecutive losses, the 49ers traded for Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo was named the starter after an injury to C. J. Beathard, and the 49ers won their last five games, finishing the season 6–10.
November 1, 2018: 49ers Win Final Regular Season "Battle of the Bay"
On November 1, 2018, the San Francisco 49ers won the final regular season matchup of the "Battle of the Bay" against the Oakland Raiders by a score of 34–3, leaving the series tied 7–7.
November 2018: Cheerleader Kneels During National Anthem
In November 2018, a San Francisco 49ers cheerleader knelt during the US national anthem before a game against the Oakland Raiders, becoming the first NFL cheerleader to do so.
2018: Jimmy Garoppolo tears ACL
During the third week matchup between the 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs in 2018, Jimmy Garoppolo tore his ACL and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. The 49ers struggled to a 4–12 record in the 2018 season.
2018: End of Cardinals' Dominance
In 2018, the Arizona Cardinals ended their dominance, with eight straight meetings between 2014 and 2018.
2018: New Alternate Uniform Unveiled
In 2018, the San Francisco 49ers unveiled a new all-white alternate uniform, styled after the 1994 uniforms.
December 29, 2019: 49ers defeat Seahawks to clinch NFC West and number one seed
On December 29, 2019, the 49ers defeated the Seahawks 26–21 in the Week 17 regular-season finale, clinching the NFC West title and the number one seed for the first time since 1997.
2019: Alternate Uniform Worn on the Road
In 2019, the San Francisco 49ers wore their alternate uniform on the road in their week 17 finale at Seattle.
2019: "Bang! Bang! Niner Gang!" Chant Popularized
In 2019, the chant of "Bang! Bang! Niner Gang!" was popularized by Bay Area rapper E-40 among San Francisco 49ers fans.
2019: 49ers Beat Packers in NFC Championship Game
In the 2019 season, the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers met in the 2020 NFC Championship game at Levi's Stadium where the 49ers won 37–20.
2019: 49ers start season 8-0
The 49ers started the 2019 season with an 8–0 record, marking their best start since 1990.
January 19, 2020: 49ers beat Packers to advance to Super Bowl
On January 19, 2020, the 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers 37–20 in the NFC Championship game, advancing to their first Super Bowl since 2012.
2020: 49ers Lose Super Bowl LIV
In 2020, after winning against the Green Bay Packers the San Francisco 49ers went on to lose Super Bowl LIV to the Kansas City Chiefs.
2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions
In 2020, restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the San Francisco Bay Area affected the 49ers.
2020: 49ers have a 6-10 record
In 2020, the 49ers had a 6–10 record, which was largely attributed to the numerous injuries sustained by the team.
2020: Raiders Move to Las Vegas, Ending Geographic Rivalry
In 2020, the Oakland Raiders began playing their home games at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, effectively ending the geographic rivalry with the San Francisco 49ers.
2021: 49ers finish with a 10-7 record
In 2021, the 49ers achieved a 10–7 record and secured a playoff berth as the #6-seed.
2021: Red Version of 1994 Throwback Uniforms Unveiled
In 2021, the San Francisco 49ers unveiled a red version of the 1994 throwback uniforms for use in select home games, with the white version now worn exclusively on the road.
2021: 49ers Upset Cowboys in Wild Card Round
In 2021, the San Francisco 49ers upset the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Round, marking what was believed to be the greatest upset in the team's rivalry in the modern era.
2021: Packers Lose to 49ers in Divisional Round
In the 2021–2022 season, the Green Bay Packers lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.
January 16, 2022: 49ers defeat the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Round
On January 16, 2022, the 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 23–17 in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
January 30, 2022: Rams Beat 49ers in NFC Championship Game
On January 30, 2022, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers 20–17 in the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium, ending a 6-game loss-streak and proceeding to win Super Bowl LVI.
2022: 49ers finish season 13-4, clinch division title, and Purdy becomes the starter.
In 2022, after a 3–4 start, the 49ers surged to a 13–4 record, securing the division title. Brock Purdy replaced an injured Garoppolo and led the team to the playoffs. However, both Purdy and Johnson suffered injuries during the NFC Championship Round, resulting in a loss to the Eagles.
2022: 49ers Defeat Cowboys in Divisional Round
In 2022, the San Francisco 49ers continued their winning streak against the Dallas Cowboys, winning the divisional round game 19–12. This loss marked the Cowboys' seventh straight in the divisional round.
2022: New Version of Uniforms Unveiled
In 2022, the San Francisco 49ers unveiled a new version of the uniforms, which included a saloon font and a 3 stripe jersey.
2022: Packers Lose to 49ers in Divisional Round
In the 2021–2022 season, the Green Bay Packers lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.
January 1, 2023: 49ers take Slim Overtime Win vs Raiders in Las Vegas
On January 1, 2023, The San Francisco 49ers met with the Raiders for the first time in Las Vegas and took a slim overtime win with a field goal ending the game 37–34.
June 2023: Acquisition of Leeds United
In June 2023, the enterprise branch of the 49ers finalized the acquisition of English soccer club Leeds United.
2023: Seahawks Lead All-Time Series
As of the 2023 season, the Seattle Seahawks lead the all-time series against the San Francisco 49ers with a record of 31-23.
2023: Division Champions
From 1970 to 2023, the San Francisco 49ers have been division champions 22 times.
2023: Brock Purdy becomes titular quarterback.
In 2023, Brock Purdy became the 49ers' starting quarterback after the departure of Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. The team clinched the NFC West title after defeating the Arizona Cardinals and finished the regular season with a 12–5 record, securing the NFC's 1st seed.
2023: 49ers Beat Cowboys with Largest Win Margin in Rivalry History
In Week 5 of the 2023–24 season, the San Francisco 49ers beat the Dallas Cowboys 42–10, marking the largest win margin for the 49ers in the history of the rivalry.
April 8, 2024: As of April 8, 2024
April 8, 2024. This entry logs the current date.
August 2024: Team Value
In August 2024, Forbes valued the 49ers at $6.8 billion, ranking them as the sixth most valuable team in the NFL.
2024: 49ers Lead All-Time Series Against Rams
As of 2024, the San Francisco 49ers lead the all-time series against the Los Angeles Rams with a record of 78-71-3.
2024: 49ers finish with a 6-11 record.
In a 2024 season marred by injuries, the 49ers finished with a 6–11 record.
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