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

By Logan Stanley

Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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SAN FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER 21: Tight end Russ Francis #81 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass against the New Orleans Saints during a game at Candlestick Park on September 21, 1986 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 26-17 (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER 21: Tight end Russ Francis #81 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass against the New Orleans Saints during a game at Candlestick Park on September 21, 1986 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 26-17 (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Russ Francis

49ers Tenure: 1982 – 1986

Pro Bowl Selections: 0

While Russ Francis never achieved the kind of individual accolades like he did during his tenure with the New England Patriots, it was with the 49ers that he reached the ultimate height in the game of football.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection (1976-1978) and named to multiple All-Pro teams, Francis won his lone Super Bowl with San Francisco in 1984.

More from SF 49ers All-Time Lists

How Francis got to the team is profoundly interesting. This, via the 49ers:

"But after his sixth year in New England, Francis decided he didn’t need to play professional football any longer. Instead of playing he joined ABC Sports as a broadcaster and covered a wide array of sports which was a perfect fit for his own diversified interests. While on assignment to cover the Pro Bowl, Francis interviewed 49ers head coach Bill Walsh and the rest was history. But Bill said (after the interview), This is the only time in your life that you’ll be able to do this. Your time is very narrow and all of the guys on this team are the best at what they do. I mean that. They are the best at what they do. That means you get better every day instead of every week. If you want to find out how good you could be then you need to come play with us."

His stats are modest, with his 12 touchdowns ranking him fifth among 49ers tight ends and 186 receptions placing him fourth. But more significantly, he was a figure that craved a special spot in the franchise’s history.