San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 10 most memorable plays of the decade

No. 2: Fade Pass in Super Bowl XLVII

It was never truly a question. The second most memorable play came in the biggest moment of the biggest game. The Niners came so close, but just could not seal the deal.

The specific play begins around 1:30, but the entire drive is worth watching if you want to relive some important 49ers memories and be furious about horrible officiating:

There it is, the 49ers had 1st-and-goal as the clock wound out on the Super Bowl. The path there had been incredible, but there they were. With four tries to score, how could they not win?

Well it turns out, in many ways.

The fourth-down attempt on that drive is one of the most memorable plays of the 49ers decade because it was the moment when all of the Niners’ hopes came to a head, and crumbled apart. It was the moment when the Super Bowl slipped through Michael Crabtree’s fingers.

Sure, the earlier play had been closer, but this was the one where all hope died, and therefore is the most memorable.

If you don’t want to be mad, don’t think about the fact the Ravens got away with blatant pass interference multiple times in those four plays. Absolutely ridiculous. I am starting to shake with anger just thinking about it. I will die on that hill.

And of course whatever you do, don’t think about the fact that the Niners had the ball on 1st-and-goal in the Super Bowl and ran four straight pass plays instead of handing it off to running back Frank Gore on the goal-line’s doorstep.

But let’s end this all-time plays of the decade on a positive note, shall we?