BREAKING NEWS
Fred Dean, 68, fearsome pass rusher of 49ers' dynasty, dies
FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, file photo, former San Diego Chargers defensive end Fred Dean waves to fans after his speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton, Ohio. Dean, the fearsome pass rusher who was a key part of the launch of the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty, has died. His death on Wednesday night, Oct. 14, 2020, was confirmed Thursday by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)
Fred Dean, 68, fearsome pass rusher of 49ers' dynasty, dies
Dean, the fearsome pass rusher who was a key part of the launch of the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty, has died. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)SAN FRANCISCO โ Fred Dean, the fearsome pass rusher who was a key part of the launch of the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty, has died. โThe 49ers family is heartbroken to learn of the passing of one of the gameโs all-time greats, Fred Dean,โ the team said in a statement. Deanโs career in San Diego ended in a contract dispute in 1981 and he was traded to San Francisco in October. "I could consider it being born by the Chargers but having a renewal life with the 49ers,โ Dean said in his Hall of Fame speech.
49ers' Super Bowl run has similarities to 1981 title team
I feel that the harmony that existed in the 1981 season in the front office, on the field and in the locker room is the same as this iteration." Both versions of Super Bowl-bound 49ers teams got there after long stretches of losing. They are two of the three Super Bowl teams to make it that far after losing double-digit games for three straight seasons. The 1981 team won seven in a row following a 1-2 start and this year's version started the season 8-0. "All of a sudden the San Francisco 49ers beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh and we beat them at their own game.