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San Francisco 49ers: 10 players who looked far too weird in other teams’ uniforms

By Peter Panacy

Sep 27, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) runs off the field after defeating the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Indianapolis won 35-33. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) runs off the field after defeating the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Indianapolis won 35-33. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: NaVorro Bowman #53 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after a play against the Kansas City Chiefs during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: NaVorro Bowman #53 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after a play against the Kansas City Chiefs during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 7: Linebacker NaVorro Bowman

During the early 2010s, the 49ers boasted arguably the best linebacker tandem in the NFL, heralded by team greats Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

By 2013, Bowman had taken the role of best linebacker on the Niners defense, letting the older Willis handle less of the rangy plays at the later stages of his storied career.

Bowman looked as if he was heading towards a Hall of Fame career. All that changed in the 2014 NFC Championship game versus the Seattle Seahawks, though, where Bowman suffered a horrendous injury, tearing multiple ligaments in his knee and subsequently missing all of the following season.

While he was able to return and earn a Pro Bowl nod in 2015, Bowman had clearly lost a step. An Achilles tear in early 2016 was yet another setback. And by the time general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan took over the following year, Bowman was on borrowed time with the franchise.

A reduced role eventually led to Bowman’s frustration which, in turn, prompted the Niners to release the once-perennial All-Pro halfway through 2017.

He signed on with the Oakland Raiders (a noticeable trend among former 49ers) and finished out the year there.

And it certainly looked weird seeing him don the silver and black.