Joe Staley: 13 best moments from 49ers tackle’s career
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Joe Staley announced his retirement after 13 years with the team. Niner Noise looks back on a tremendous career for one of the best to wear a red and gold uniform.
Amid the worst San Francisco 49ers years since the 1970s, the organization was looking for some foundational players. They hadn’t had a winning season since 2002 when they lost in the NFC divisional game. But with some strategic first-round drafting from 2005 to 2007, the 49ers were in a position to change their franchise around and it started with offensive tackle Joe Staley.
In 2005, the team selected quarterback Alex Smith with their first overall pick. In 2006, they took tight end Vernon Davis with the sixth selection. And in 2007, they had two selections in the first round. Former general manager and head coach Mike Nolan took linebacker Patrick Willis with the 11th pick and an offensive tackle from Central Michigan, Staley, with the 28th selection.
Most would form relatively successful years with the 49ers and eventually leave due to trades, free agency or retirement, but Staley decided to stick around. He signed three contracts throughout his career. He signed a rookie contract, which led to a lengthy six-year extension in 2009, and in 2019 officially made himself a 49er for life with a two-year deal.
During his phenomenal 13 years in the Bay Area, Staley racked up 181 regular-season games, 11 playoff games, was selected to six Pro Bowls, made the All-Pro second team three times and made the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s. Staley also has three catches for 26 yards. He also cracked the NFL’s Top 100 three times from 2012 through 2014.
But there’s more to the Rockford, Michigan native than what we see on the field. He’s very active in the community, is best friends with everyone in the locker room, and above all is a husband and father… a proud girl dad, to be exact.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to relive some of Staley’s best moments as a 49er.