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Former San Francisco 49er Ronnie Lott (R) has his #42 jersey retired throughout a ceremony with former proprietor Ed DeBartotlo Jr. , former teammates and household at halftime through the Pittsburgh Steelers v San Francisco 49ers recreation on November 17, 2003 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco,
Each time Ronnie Lott stepped on the sector in his legendary San Francisco 49ers profession, he made an influence. A primary-ballot NFL Corridor of Famer in 2020, Lott’s journey by way of the NFL assorted from the extraordinarily brutal to the extremely sensible.
Whereas the ultimate years of his profession with the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets have been spectacular in their very own proper, Lott’s 9 seasons and 4 Tremendous Bowls wins as a 49er are what solidified him as an all-time nice.
30 years on from his last season at Candlestick Park, Lott’s persona and hard-hitting fashion nonetheless impresses and conjures up. In these 5 video games with San Francisco, the now-62-year-old constructed the inspiration of his NFL legend.
Week 4, 1981: Saints 14, 49ers 21
Lott got here to the 49ers with excessive expectations because the eighth general choose of the 1981 NFL Draft. A 1978 Nationwide Champion with the College of Southern California and coming off an eight-interception senior season, Lott was understandably anticipated to make an influence from the primary snap.
Whereas he hadn’t carried out poorly, San Francisco was 1-2 after three video games and again dwelling to host an eventual 4-12 New Orleans Saints squad. In gentle of the 49ers’ eventual 26-21 Tremendous Bowl XVI win and 16-Three last file, it looks as if a mismatch.
That’s not how issues performed out, nonetheless, because the Saints and head coach Bum Phillips’ initially took a 7-Zero lead. San Francisco battled again, ultimately taking a 14-7 lead after a 60-yard landing cross from QB Joe Montana to WR Freddie Solomon.
However with only a landing lead on New Orleans within the fourth quarter, the 49ers wanted a giant play to place away the sport. Lott delivered and picked off Saints QB Archie Manning, taking it for a landing to safe a win.
After Lott correctly introducing himself to Candlestick Park, the 49ers rattled off a seven-game win streak, solely shedding yet another time the remainder of the 1981 season earlier than hoisting the Lombardi.
Divisional Spherical, 1982: Giants 24, 49ers 38
In between Week Four of 1981 and the 49ers’ first playoff recreation, a divisional-round conflict with the New York Giants, Lott had added six extra interceptions and two extra touchdowns because the 49ers protection solely allowed 13.Four factors per recreation over that span.
A rookie of comparable greatness simply occurred to be on the Giants: Lawrence Taylor.
Taylor would go on to win the Rookie of the Yr award after totaling 9.5 sacks within the common season. Lott completed second within the voting however most likely doesn’t thoughts after he performed a starring function within the 49ers’ first Tremendous Bowl.
Over the course of the sport, the 49ers’ and Giants’ offenses fluctuated, however like the sport in opposition to the Saints, the 49ers once more discovered themselves up late within the recreation, this time 31-17, and in want of a game-breaking second.
This time, Lott recorded his second interception of the matchup, housing a choose off New York QB Scott Brunner to place San Francisco up by 21 and out of attain.
Lott’s ensuing performances in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals have been on par as nicely, however his ninth and last interception of the 1981 NFL season showcased his means on a nationwide stage whereas placing the 49ers by way of to the NFC Championship.
Week 16, 1985: Cowboys 16, 49ers 31
When folks deliver up the 49ers’ last recreation of the 1985 common season, particularly within the context of Lott’s legend, the play by which Dallas Cowboys RB Timmy Newsome broke the defensive again’s pinkie finger is the very first thing talked about.
Understandably so. The damage led to Lott’s well-known choice to amputate part of his finger to make sure a well timed return for the beginning of the 1986 season.
What folks don’t deliver up is that Lott picked Dallas QB Gary Hogeboom earlier than leaving the competition, an vital play in a recreation that had huge implications.
The 49ers, Giants and Washington Redskins have been tied for the 2 NFC Wild Card spots heading into Week 16 at 9-6. Washington and New York have been taking good care of the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers, whereas the Redskins needed to beat a Cowboys staff that had already secured a bye week within the playoffs.
The 49ers ultimately gained the sport regardless of trailing 16-10 on the half, and with a 35-Eight tiebreaker win over the Redskins earlier within the season, the 49ers acquired an opportunity on the playoffs, though it will definitely led to a 17-Three loss to the Giants.
Divisional Spherical, 1989: 49ers 34, Vikings 9
San Francisco required a 4-1 regular-season end to safe a 10-6 end and a divisional title and the proper to host a playoff recreation. Whereas Lott did his half with two interceptions throughout that stretch, his first playoff recreation that yr was a unique monster.
49ers WR Jerry Rice’s first-half hat-trick is likely one of the defining moments of this recreation, however an understated half was Lott’s function within the victory. The then-safety intercepted Minnesota Vikings QB Wade Wilson twice and added a fumble restoration, dominating the sport from the defensive perspective.
The 49ers adopted up with one other dominant 28-Three win in opposition to the Chicago Bears within the NFC Championship earlier than a come-from-behind 20-16 victory over the Bengals in Tremendous Bowl XXIII.
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Tremendous Bowl XXIV, 1990: Broncos 10, 49ers 55
A dominant San Francisco offense made an everlasting impression by scoring 55 factors within the franchise’s fourth Tremendous Bowl victory of the last decade, however Lott and the 49ers
Whereas QB Joe Montana was busy throwing 5 passing touchdowns over the Denver Broncos protection, Lott and the San Francisco protection stayed resilient and dominant for everything of the sport.
Denver QB John Elway was capable of rating a speeding landing, however solely late within the third quarter and down 41-3. The assertion Montana and his receivers made might have spoken loudest, Lott and his defenders made an announcement of their very own.
Enjoying within the Tremendous Bowl XXIV win, together with the opposite three, places Lott in a particular firm of 5 gamers who have been on the roster for all 4 49ers Tremendous Bowl wins within the decade.
The sport was additionally the final Tremendous Bowl win for Lott, as he would depart San Francisco after the 1990 season. From his first seasons as a 49er to the final ones, Lott was a legend within the making.
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Evan Reier is a sportswriter masking the San Francisco 49ers for Heavy.com and native sports activities for the Montana Normal in Butte, MT. Comply with and attain out to him on Twitter at @evanreier.
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