Artifact of the Game: Foster Farms Bowl

Maryland and Stanford Provide Foundation for 49ers Championships By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian When Gene Washington hauled in a 78-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Brodie in the San Francisco 49ers 1971 NFC playoff win over the Washington Redskins, Bay Area football fans immediately recalled Stanford University’s intimate connection to the 49ers. After all,…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers vs. Cardinals

This story will appear in the Dec. 28 issue of the San Francisco 49ers Gameday magazine. Frank Gore Sets 49ers Rushing Touchdown Mark Against Cardinals By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian Frank Gore’s two-yard touchdown plunge in a 27-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals on the final day of the 2012 season put the 49ers…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers vs. Chargers

Chargers and 49ers Share Hall of Fame Link By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian The football fortunes of the 49ers and San Diego Chargers are deeply intertwined. Bill Walsh, Dan Fouts and Fred Dean are among a handful of Pro Football Hall of Famers with links to both clubs. Coach Walsh launched the 49ers dynasty…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers at Seahawks

Harbaugh Begins NFL Coaching Career With Win Over Seattle By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian One of the NFL’s most passionate rivalries resumes today as the 49ers square off with the Seattle Seahawks. The two teams have been spirited NFC West foes since 2002, but the arrival of 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh in 2011 added a…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers at Raiders

49ers Listen to Tony Bennett After Clinching First NFC West Title at Oakland By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian Civic pride is at stake whenever San Francisco and Oakland meet on the gridiron. In the first regular season game between the 49ers and Raiders, an NFC divisional championship also was on the line. San Francisco needed…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers vs. Seahawks

This story will appear in the Nov. 27 issue of the San Francisco 49ers “Gameday” magazine… The 49ers Feast on Thanksgiving Day Football By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian Thanksgiving and football go hand-in-hand. While San Francisco hosts its first Turkey Day game today against the Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers are certainly not strangers to…

Artifact of the Game: San Francisco vs. Washington

This story will appear in the Nov. 23 issue of the San Francisco 49ers “Gameday” magazine… San Francisco Slips By Washington in First Playoff Game at Candlestick Park By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian Candlestick Park provided the 49ers with one of the NFL’s greatest home field advantages. From 1971 to 2013 the 49ers won…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers at Giants

Not going with the team to New York? Visit the 49ers Museum Presented by SONY this weekend… By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian Rookie tight end John Frank stirred up a hornet’s nest when he slipped past New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor to score the first touchdown of his NFL career. Bad blood simmered…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers at Saints

The 49ers Salute their Military Heroes on Veterans Day By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian Joe Arenas was known for his reckless running style as a 49ers halfback and kick returner in the 1950s. The way he saw it, sprinting through a pack of snorting football players was a heck of a lot easier than his…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers vs. Rams

This story will appear in the Nov. 2 edition of the 49ers Gameday magazine. George Seifert: From Kezar Stadium Usher to 49ers Hall of Famer By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian George Seifert’s heart skipped a beat when he arrived in New Orleans for Super Bowl XXIV and realized he’d forgotten his lucky sweater. He…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers at Broncos

By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian Athletic drama and coaching intrigue factor into nearly every 49ers-Broncos matchup, but in Super Bowl XXIV San Francisco clearly outclassed its Rocky Mountain opponent in both phases of the game. It was billed as a showdown in New Orleans between hot shot quarterbacks Joe Montana and John Elway. Singer…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers vs. Chiefs

49ers and Chiefs First Met on Monday Night Football This story appears in the Oct. 5 issue of the San Francisco 49ers Gameday magazine. By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian Monday Night Football was in its infancy in 1971 when San Francisco hosted its first primetime game, a matchup between the 49ers and the Kansas City…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers vs. Eagles

Fists Fly at Kezar Stadium when 49ers Face Philadelphia Eagles This story appears in the Sept. 28 issue of the San Francisco 49ers Gameday magazine. By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian Kezar Stadium, the 49ers original home field, had a large crew of notoriously rowdy football fans. They came out in full force for the 1953…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers vs. Cardinals

By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian The 49ers and Cardinals have met in half-a-dozen cities since their first game in 1951. The Cardinals played out of Chicago in the 1950s, relocated to St. Louis in the 1960s, then finally settled in Arizona. But the two clubs made one historic journey together in 2005. This Sunday…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers vs. Bears

This story appears in the Sept. 14 issue of the San Francisco 49ers Gameday magazine. By Joe Hession, 49ers Museum historian The long standing rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears has seen its share of dramatic, sinister and even comical moments. The two clubs met for the first time in 1950. Over…

Artifact of the Game: 49ers at Cowboys

The San Francisco 49ers visit the Dallas Cowboys to open the 2014 regular season. The two teams have been playing against each other since 1960 and created many everlasting memories. Chief among them: “The Catch” by 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark to give the hometown team the 1981 NFC title. The 49ers Museum presented by…