San Francisco 49ers: 5 best tight ends in franchise history

No. 5: Monty Stickles

49ers Tenure: 1960 – 1967

Pro Bowl Selections: 0

Although never selected to a Pro Bowl, Monty Stickles is one of the more memorable tight ends in the 49ers’ franchise history. Drafted No. 11 overall in the 1960 NFL Draft, he made an instant impact in his sophomore season with his team-leading five touchdown receptions.

That would be the most he would ever record in a season, and his 16 touchdowns place him at fourth on the all-time leaderboards for most touchdowns by a 49ers tight end. Additionally, Stickles’ 207 receptions are the third most for a tight end. He was a part of the new wave of players to who helped mold the position that it is today (h/t SF Gate):

"He played seven seasons with the 49ers and, along with Ron Kramer, Mike Ditka and later John Mackey, pioneered the position of tight end. Before Kramer nobody called them tight ends, said Stickles, at 6-feet-4, 235 pounds the prototype for the new position. We were pass receivers who could block and be part of the line play."

Stickles would go on to be traded to the New Orleans Saints in 1968, but he remained a fixture in the Bay Area. According to Matt Maiocco, Stickles resided in San Francisco from 1962 to 2002, before moving to Alameda.

He would go on to have a exceptional broadcasting career in the Bay Area, calling Oakland Raiders and Cal football games.