49ers: Ranking San Francisco's GOATs at each position

Ranking the San Francisco 49ers GOATs at each position.

By James Jones | Jul 24, 2019

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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8 Sep 1996: Offensive lineman Jesse Sapolu of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during a game against the St. Louis Rams at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game, 34-0. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport /

Center: Jesse Sapolu

The 49ers of the 1980s and 1990s started and sustained what we now refer to as the “Dynasty Years.” There were, of course, many players who contributed to those teams. But when it comes to the center position, no player stands out more than Jesse Sapolu

Another lineman who was tasked with protecting franchise jewels Montana and Young, Sapolu won four Super Bowls. It’s amazing that he was only named to two Pro Bowls, in 1993 and 1994, as his career was coming to an end.

The stellar play and continuity that he gave the 49ers on the offensive line allowed the team to focus on other areas of need as they continued their success through those decades.

Honorable mentions: Randy Cross, Jeremy Newberry, Eric Heitmann