San Francisco 49ers: 15 best free-agent acquisitions of all time
By Peter Panacy
Greatest free agent acquistions in San Francisco 49ers history: 8. Rickey Jackson
49ers Tenure: 1994 – 1995
Along with Gary Plummer and Deion Sanders, the 49ers also brought in a prolific edge rusher to supplement the pass rush and finally get past the Dallas Cowboys.
At the time, though, few thought an aging pass-rusher in Rickey Jackson would be the perfect fit. He was, after all, 36 years old when he suited up for the Niners back in 1994 after spending his first 13 seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
Jackson recorded double-digit sacks over the three years before his time with San Francisco. And while he picked up just 3.5 back in 1994, he was at least responsible for a respectable 40 tackles and two forced fumbles, both of which he recovered.
The 49ers won the Super Bowl that year, of course. Yet, Jackson bounced back with a proverbial “swan song” of a year in 1995, amassing 9.5 sacks and even managing an interception.
All at the youthful age of 37 years old.
Jackson would retire following those efforts. And while he only had a two-year stint with the Niners, the fact he was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 makes him a perfect candidate for this list.