San Francisco 49ers: 15 most beloved fan favorites in franchise history
By Peter Panacy
OT. (2007-Present). Joe Staley. 7. player. 42.
Most beloved San Francisco 49ers in franchise history: 7. Joe Staley
Younger generations of 49ers fans certainly know the name Ronnie Lott, and most have probably gone back and watched highlights of Lott’s incredible play.
But those same fans also enjoyed watching left tackle Joe Staley perform at a dominant level, even though he reached the point in 2020 to finally call it a career, unfortunately never winning a Super Bowl during his storybook time within the league.
Staley, the Niners’ 2007 first-round draft choice, has spent his entire career in San Francisco, earning six Pro Bowl nods and counting. He’s arguably one of only a handful of players from this century so far worthy of being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
It’s anyone’s guess whether that honor falls on Staley’s shoulders or not. But the Niners Faithful certainly would think so.
Yet Staley’s beloved placement on this list goes far beyond his on-field abilities. Most offensive linemen need to be a bit crazy. “Eccentric,” perhaps, and Staley is perhaps the most outgoing San Francisco player in recent memory.
If he’s not, the fact Staley stuck around for so long means he was, is and will always be a fan favorite.
Even long after he retires.