Niner Noise
FanSided

Ranking the San Francisco 49ers GOATs at each position.

By James Jones

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 20: Former San Francisco 49ers player Jerry Rice is seen during a ceremony honoring the 1981-82 team at halftime of the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Levi's Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 20: Former San Francisco 49ers player Jerry Rice is seen during a ceremony honoring the 1981-82 team at halftime of the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Levi's Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO – OCTOBER 30: Defensive back Eric Wright #21 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts to make a tackle on a Minnesota Vikings ball carrier during a game at Candlestick Park on October 30, 1988 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 24-21. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – OCTOBER 30: Defensive back Eric Wright #21 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts to make a tackle on a Minnesota Vikings ball carrier during a game at Candlestick Park on October 30, 1988 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 24-21. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

Cornerback: Eric Wright

While 49ers cornerback Eric Wright was a constant presence in the teams secondary throughout his career, the biggest play of his life came in the 1981 NFC Championship game.

After “The Catch,” that put the 49ers on the brink of their first Super Bowl appearance, Wright grabbed a streaking Drew Pearson who had just caught a pass from quarterback Danny White on a post route and was running for the end zone.

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Wright managed to catch Pearson just as he was poised to blow past three-quarters of the 49ers defensive backfield. He reached, as the receiver was running by, and with his fingertips, grasped Pearson’s shoulder pads to bring him down just past midfield.

The next play saw White fumble the football, as Lawrence Pillers bore down on the Dallas quarterback, causing him to begin to pull the ball down. White fumbled the ball, Jim Stuckey recovered it and the 49ers were launched into the first stage of a dynasty.

Wright’s career numbers may not be on par with some of his peers in 49ers history. He was named to the Pro Bowl twice and was named to two All-Pro teams. Not to mention he is a four-time Super Bowl champion.

While others have had better numbers, if Wright doesn’t make that tackle in 1981, the 49ers dynasty as we know it might look very different.

Honorable mentions: Jimmy Johnson, Deion Sanders, Eric Davis