Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 10 most underrated players in franchise history

By Peter Panacy

January 14, 1990: Wide receiver John Taylor of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball during a playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game, 30-3. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport
January 14, 1990: Wide receiver John Taylor of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball during a playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game, 30-3. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport /
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Wide Receiver. 49ers Tenure: 1969-1977. Gene Washington. 8. player. 42.

Perhaps only the older generations of 49ers fans can recall just how good wide receiver Gene Washington was.

Believe it or not, the Niners were close to establishing something of a dynasty in the early 1970s, a time where Washington was already cemented as a top performer. He broke into the league in 1969 and immediately earned both Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selections. But a year later, Washington cemented a legacy for himself, leading the NFL with an amazing 1,100 receiving yards at a time when 1,000-yard receivers were almost nonexistent.

Washington would go on to the Pro Bowl a total of four times, including another first-team All-Pro selection in 1972.

Sadly, the Niners franchise began to fall apart after that season, and Washington’s overall numbers took a hit. While still a major factor in San Francisco’s offense those years up to 1977, the overall problems the team was experiencing kept Washington from earning his rightful place in franchise lore.

Not on this list, though.