San Francisco 49ers: Top 30 all-time moments in franchise history
By Peter Panacy
No. 15: The Pick at the Stick
For the record, I was at this game and never heard Candlestick louder than this one moment.
A Monday Night Football game versus the Atlanta Falcons on December 23, 2013 marked the final contest the 49ers would play at Candlestick Park. The 49ers would move into Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara the subsequent year.
Late in the fourth quarter, quarterback Matt Ryan and the Falcons were dangerously close to retaking the lead and endangering San Francisco’s playoff chances. After a touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta subsequently recovered an onside kick that went right through the hands of linebacker NaVorro Bowman. The Falcons then drove all the way to the 49ers’ 11-yard line.
With the score 27-24 in favor of the 49ers, Ryan attempted a pass to his left despite an all-out blitz from San Francisco’s defense.
Cornerback Tramaine Brock tipped the pass and, seemingly out of nowhere, Bowman intercepted the ball and returned it 89 yards for the game-sealing touchdown.
The play is forever known as the “Pick at the Stick” and shut down Candlestick in style as the 49ers clinched a playoff berth with the victory.