5 individuals San Francisco 49ers should have never let get away

No. 1: EDGE Charles Haley Takes Super Bowl-Winning Ways to Cowboys

All Hall of Fame edge rusher Charles Haley knew how to do was win Super Bowls.

He did this with the 49ers in 1988, 1989 and nearly again in 1990. And entering the new decade, Haley looked like he would be the preeminent defensive feature on an already-stacked San Francisco defense. And during his eight-year career with the Niners, Haley amassed an astounding 66.5 sacks — second only to defensive lineman Bryant Young (89.5) on the franchise’s all-time list.

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Like Terrell Owens, though, Haley had his share of clashes with fellow teammates and coaches. There were incidents with head coach George Seifert, yes. But according to former 49ers running back Dexter Carter (h/t 49ers Webzone), the end-all came in August of 1992 when Haley crossed Jerry Rice:

"But there was one guy that nobody messed with, [Jerry Rice]. Charles didn’t even mess with him. And when he messed with him, two weeks later, he was gone. And when I say “gone,” he was given away to Dallas. Our best defensive player and he was given away to Dallas, who at the end of the day, helped take three rings off of my fingers. I could have had three more Super Bowl rings."

San Francisco traded Haley to the Dallas Cowboys shortly after the reported run-in with Rice.

And Haley would subsequently win three more Super Bowl rings with the Niners’ chief rival, helping turn Dallas into the team of the 1990s.