Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 biggest villains in franchise history

By Peter Panacy

1 Nov 1998: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers in action during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 36-22. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
1 Nov 1998: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers in action during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 36-22. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /
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23 Jan 1994: Defensive lineman Charles Haley of the Dallas Cowboys moves down the field during a playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys won the game, 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport
23 Jan 1994: Defensive lineman Charles Haley of the Dallas Cowboys moves down the field during a playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys won the game, 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport /

No. 3: EDGE Charles Haley, Dallas Cowboys

From a rival player, who subsequently joined the 49ers, to another player who started off his career in San Francisco, only to go to a rival, the No. 3 biggest-villain player on our list is former Niners and Cowboys EDGE Charles Haley.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Yes, the Hall of Famer whom the 49ers grabbed in Round 4 of the NFL Draft back in 1986.

Haley’s career in San Francisco was Hall of Fame-worthy already, accumulating 66.5 sacks and three Pro Bowl nods during his eight-year career in the Bay Area.

According to former Niners running back Dexter Carter (h/t 49ers Webzone, 247 Sports), Haley was known for “getting into it” with fellow teammates. But when Haley got into a bit of a locker room spat with wide receiver Jerry Rice, enough was enough. San Francisco traded him to Dallas ahead of the 1992 season.

What makes this all the more frustrating is the Cowboys were a sub-.500 team between 1986 and 1990. And while 1991 was promising, Haley’s presence immediately turned Dallas into a Super Bowl contender.

Case in point, the Cowboys went on to win the Super Bowl the year Haley was traded, the first of three championships over the next four years.

Just like that, San Francisco’s dynasty of the 1980s evaporated, and the Cowboys became the team of the 1990s. Haley would go on to receive two more Pro Bowl nods during his time in Dallas, helping transform the 49ers’ most hated rival into perennial contenders.