49ers: 5 Worst Free-Agent Losses in Franchise History

Bill Romanowski

Bill Romanowski was heads up and hard nosed on every play. He was all grit, all the time, and just what the 49ers needed in terms of getting to the ball carrier.

Romanowski was known for two things. Making the big plays, and spitting in the face of JJ Stokes. If you weren’t on his side your opinion meant very little to him. In fact, he didn’t come to the NFL to make friends. What he came to do instead was wreak havoc.

He played for four NFL teams, and contributed in 16 total seasons. Listed as ESPN’s fifth dirtiest player in NFL history, if he sought you out it was probably personal.

He spent six seasons in San Francisco, but when he left his career was just getting started. He fought with opposing teams, teammates and carried a lot of baggage, but his ability to make plays couldn’t be denied.

Romanowski went on to hoist four Lombardi Trophies, and play in five Super Bowl contests. He made the big plays, threw the hard hits, and sacrificed his body during every down. His impressive career featured two Pro Bowl nominations, over 1100 tackles made, and 243 consecutive games that spanned from 1988-2003.

Though the team would rebound in the mid-2000’s with an incredible defense, when Roma left, they were never quite the same.

Next: Ronnie Lott