The 5 Biggest 49ers Hall of Fame Snubs in the Modern Era

No. 3: Tom Rathman (44)

Few players personify the game of football better than former 49ers fullback Tom Rathman.

"“He’s everything that’s basic about football. You know, blocking. You know, tough running. Yeah, but not only the way he looks, but the way he plays. You know anyone can cut their hair short, you know. But he plays that way.” – John Madden"

In the words of Hall of Fame coach and legendary TV broadcaster John Madden, he’s the quintessential football player.

Born in the nation’s heartland, Rathman became a standout at the University of Nebraska, where he was the lead blocker for fellow Cornhusker and ultimate 49ers running mate, RB Roger Craig.

Drafted by the 49ers in 1986, he spent virtually his entire career (save his final season with the Oakland Raiders) in red and gold and was a focal point of Bill Walsh’s West Coast attack.

Rathman’s nickname was “Woody” for his alleged resemblance to the character on NBC’s TV series Cheers. However, he was far from a naïve hayseed when it came game time.

Apart from his bone-splintering blocking ability, Rathman was a legitimate dual threat on offense, racking up more yards through the air in his career than on the ground.

In 1989, Rathman led the league in catches by any back with 73 receptions for 616 yards. Combined with his 305 yards on the ground, he finished the year just 84 yards shy of 1,000 all-purpose yards, an accomplishment that is almost unheard of at the fullback position in the modern era.

Stunningly, Rathman never earned a single All-Pro award or Pro Bowl nomination during his nine-year career.

By today’s standards, most fans would describe the Hall of Fame’s all-time great fullbacks as running backs. Hall of Famers Jim Taylor, Earl Campbell and the peerless Jim Brown all technically share Rathman’s positional title.

However, as football has continued to evolve, old school fullbacks have morphed into halfbacks, and the mid-80s incarnation has virtually gone the way of the dodo bird. Not a single modern-era fullback is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Rathman, along with Dallas Cowboy’s FB Daryl Johnston, was the best of his era, helping to redefine the scope of his position. Johnston has been in the running for the HoF in both 2016 and 2017. Rathman, despite having significantly better offensive numbers, has never even sniffed a nomination.

That’s good enough for No. 3 on the 49ers Hall of Fame snub list.