SF 49ers: Top 6 wide receiver duos in franchise history
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Duo No. 5: R.C. Owens and Monty Stickles
Years Together: 1960-1961
Like Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree, the next wide receiver tandem on this list only played together for two years. And fans will have to dig deep into the SF 49ers’ archives to remember their impact.
But wide receiver R.C. Owens doesn’t need to big an introduction. He coined the NFL jump-ball tactic in the end zone, earning the nickname “Alley-Oop” for simply using his 6-foot-3, 197-pound frame to jump over defensive backs in 50-50 situations.
While he only spent five years donning the red and gold, Owens’ impact was felt to the tune of 2,926 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.
Before Owens left, though, the Niners brought in Monty Stickles in Round 1 of the 1960 NFL Draft, partially to complement Owens and to potentially replace him, which eventually happened when Stickles was moved to tight end in 1962.
The year before, however, Stickles posted an impressive 43-catch, 794-yard campaign to pair with Owens’ smashing 1,032-yard effort to help propel San Francisco to the league’s fourth-best offense that year.
One can only wonder what would have happened if Owens and Stickels stuck around a little while longer.