Established
1946
City
San Francisco
League History
1946 - Present / National Football League
Team History
1946 - Present / San Francisco 49ers
Nickname
49ers - The San Francisco 49ers have been a staple of the NFL since its inception in 1946. With such a long and storied history, it’s no surprise that the team has developed an iconic nickname over time: The Niners. But where did this name come from?
San Francisco 49ers Origin
The most popular theory is that the nickname is derived from “49er,” which describes prospectors who came to California during the 1849 Gold Rush. As San Francisco was one of the main cities affected by this influx of people, it made sense for locals to refer to their beloved football team as The Niners – especially considering they were playing in nearby Kezar Stadium then!
In addition, many believe there may be another reason behind why fans adopted this moniker: when you look at any traditional map of California (as seen above), you can see how all four sides are divided into perfect eighths - making up what looks like an upside-down number nine or "Niner." This could explain why many supporters chose this specific term for their beloved franchise!
Whatever its origin, one thing's for sure: The Niner faithful will continue chanting “Go Niners!" every game day with pride - just as they've done since 1946!
Championship
Super Bowl 5
1995, 1990, 1989, 1985, 1982
Stadium
2014 - Present / Levi's Stadium
1971 - 1995, 2009 - 2013 / Candlestick Park
2004 - 2008 / Monster Park
2002 - 2004 / San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point
1995 - 2002 / 3Com Park
1946 - 1970 / Kezar Stadium
Owner
2008 - Present / John York
2000 - 2008 / Denise DeBartolo York and John York
1977 - 2000 / Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. and Denise DeBartolo York
1964 - 1977 / Josephine Morabito, Elizabeth Morabito, and Ruffo
1957 - 1964 / Josephine Morabito, Victor Morabito, and Ruffo
1953 - 1957 / Tony and Victor Morabito, and Al Ruffo
1947 - 1953 / Tony and Victor Morabito
1946 / Tony and Victor Morabito, Allen E. Sorrell and E.J. Turre
- 1946
- 1977
- 1981
- 1984
- 1988
- 1989
- 1995
- 2014
-
San Francisco 49ers Team Formation
The San Francisco 49ers were the first major league professional sports franchise based in San Francisco, and one of the first professional sports teams based on the West Coast of the United States. The team also became the first “big four” sport (i.e., baseball, football, basketball, or hockey) franchise to play in the Western United States. The Cleveland Rams moved ... -
Eddie DeBartolo Ownership
DeBartolo was actively involved in franchise ownership and sports management, becoming one of the most successful and generous owners in professional sports. His ownership of the 49ers proved especially notable. During his twenty-three years owning the team, beginning in 1977, the 49ers won an unprecedented five Super Bowls under coaches Bill Walsh and George Seifert, Super Bowl XVI, Super Bowl ... -
Super Bowl XVI Winner 1981
The 49ers defeated the Bengals by the score of 26–21 to win their first Super Bowl. The game was played on January 24, 1982, at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. It marked the first time that a Super Bowl was held in a cold-weather city. The domed stadium saved the crowd at the game from ... -
Super Bowl XIX Winner 1984
The 49ers defeated the Dolphins by the score of 38–16, to win their second Super Bowl. The game was played on January 20, 1985, at Stanford Stadium, on the campus of Stanford University in Stanford, California. The game was hyped as the battle between two great quarterbacks: Miami’s Dan Marino and San Francisco’s Joe Montana. The Dolphins entered their fifth ... -
Super Bowl XXIII Winner 1988
The 49ers defeated the Bengals by the score of 20–16, winning their third-ever Super Bowl. The game was played on January 22, 1989, at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida, the first Super Bowl hosted in the Miami area in 10 years, and the first in Miami not held at the Orange Bowl. This was the second meeting between these ... -
Super Bowl XXIV Winner 1989
Played on January 28, 1990, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, the 49ers defeated the Broncos by the score of 55–10, winning their second consecutive Super Bowl, and tying the Pittsburgh Steelers with four Super Bowl victories. San Francisco also became the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls with two different head coaches; rookie head coach George ... -
Super Bowl XXIX Winner 1995
The 49ers defeated the Chargers by the score of 49–26, becoming the first team to win five Super Bowls. The game was played on January 29, 1995, at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida (now part of the suburb of Miami Gardens). This game is regarded as 49ers quarterback Steve Young’s final leap out of the shadow of his predecessor, ... -
New Stadium in Santa Clara
On November 8, 2006, reports surfaced that the 49ers ended negotiations with the city of San Francisco about building a new stadium and plan to do so in Santa Clara, 38.3 miles south of the team’s current home field, Candlestick Park in San Francisco; Santa Clara already hosts the team’s administrative headquarters and training facility. The Yorks and then-San Francisco ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
San Francisco 49ers History
The San Francisco 49ers history is one of the most remarkable stories in football. Founded in 1946 as part of the All-America Football Conference, they joined the NFL two years later. From the beginning, the team showed determination and passion for the game. Today, the franchise is a cornerstone of the San Francisco 49ers NFL legacy, admired by fans across generations.
Over the decades, the 49ers became known for their innovative play style and championship mindset. Their glory years at Candlestick Park remain legendary, with fans witnessing unforgettable moments. The team’s rich history features some of the greatest names in football, including Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Steve Young. These icons helped shape the San Francisco 49ers history into a story of dominance and resilience.
San Francisco 49ers Achievements
The achievements of the franchise are truly historic. The 49ers have claimed five Super Bowl titles and appeared in seven overall. They also secured the 1949 AAFC Championship before moving fully into the NFL. Their victories in the 1980s under Bill Walsh’s West Coast Offense revolutionized the sport, earning them four Super Bowls in just eight years.
The San Francisco 49ers NFL success continued in the 1990s with another championship led by George Seifert. In total, the 49ers’ dynasty is marked by innovation, talent, and teamwork. With a strong fan base and a winning culture, the franchise remains one of the most successful in league history. The San Francisco 49ers history stands as proof of excellence and continues to inspire new generations of football fans.
Sports Fan Products
From the Gold Rush to the Super Bowls: San Francisco 49ers History
Attention all 49ers sports fans! Did you know the San Francisco 49ers have a rich history dating back to the Gold Rush? With 5 Super Bowl wins, we are a powerhouse team.
Jerry Rice Player History Revealed: Insider Secrets Revealed!
Explore the extraordinary journey of football legend Jerry Rice in this video. From his humble beginnings to his record-breaking triumphs, discover the untold story behind one of the game's greatest players. Join us as we celebrate the enduring legacy of Jerry Rice's unparalleled career!
Mount Rushmore's 49ers EXPOSED: The Shocking Truth!
In our latest video, "Mount Rushmore's 49ers EXPOSED: The Shocking Truth!" we dive deep into the legendary figures that define the San Francisco 49ers' storied history. While the NFL Network's Mount Rushmore for the 49ers features the unsurprising choices of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, we uncover the lesser-known stories and controversies surrounding these iconic selections.
Retired Number
8 / Steve Young
12 / John Brodie
16 / Joe Montana
34 / Joe Perry
37 / Jimmy Johnson
39 / Hugh McElhenny
42 / Ronnie Lott
70 / Charlie Krueger
73 / Leo Nomellini
79 / Bob St. Clair
80 / Jerry Rice
87 / Dwight Clark
– / Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr.
– / Bill Walsh
*Blue is this team’s history
