San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 5 Greatest Plays in Franchise History
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: The “Pick at the Stick”
I’m a little partial to this play simply because I was there.
But linebacker NaVorro Bowman’s game-sealing interception against the Atlanta Falcons on December 23, 2013 — and on Monday Night Football — did more than just make it to Niner Noise’s all-time best plays list.
Fans might recall this was the final NFL game played at Candlestick Park. The 49ers were bound for Levi’s Stadium the following the year, ending a storied and elongated chapter in franchise history.
And what a way to close out the old stadium.
San Francisco had a 20-10 lead to start the fourth quarter and led 27-17 with just over five minutes remaining. But that’s when things started to fall apart for the Niners. Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez’s touchdown at the 2:09 mark made it a three-point game.
Bowman couldn’t recover the subsequent onside kick, which allowed Atlanta to drive all the way into the red zone.
Yet a deflected pass off the hands of 49ers cornerback Traimaine Brock found its way into Bowman’s hands, who returned it — as Niners play-by-play commentator Ted Robinson said — “seven miles” for a touchdown.
This memorable moment capped off Candlestick’s long list of memories and propelled the Niners into the playoffs.