49ers: Ranking the Top 5 Defensive Players in Franchise History

Ranking the Top 5 Defensive Players in 49ers Franchise History

Dec 1, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) and inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) react after Willis recorded a sack against the St. Louis Rams in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Rams 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

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NFL: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers /

3. Charles Haley

Before Tom Brady hoisted the Lombardi Trophy for a fifth time this month, only one man who achieved the feat, that man was Charles Haley.

A fourth-round pick with the 49ers in 1986 draft, Haley quickly blossomed into a formidable pass rusher playing as an outside linebacker in San Francisco’s 3-4 defense.

Haley’s production was remarkable, he record double-digit sacks in four of his first six seasons in the league and had a league-leading 16 in the 1990 campaign.

His ability to disrupt the passing game contributed to two of the 49ers’ league titles, Haley winning with San Francisco in Super Bowl XXIII and XXIV.

Though his volatile temperament led to an acrimonious divorce from the team, which came about through a trade to the Cowboys, Haley remains a popular member of the 49ers’ alumni and his colorful Hall of Fame speech was one of the better addresses in Canton in recent memory.

Only two defenders can really claim to have been more dominant in red and gold than Haley, so it is fair for 49ers fans to allow his years of success with the Cowboys to slide.