Niner Noise
FanSided

Greatest all-time San Francisco 49ers

By Gil Alcaraz IV

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 15: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome on October 15, 1995 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the 49ers 18-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 15: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome on October 15, 1995 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the 49ers 18-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Greatest 49ers, Steve Wallace
SF 49ers all-time great Steve Wallace (Photo by DOUG COLLIER/AFP via Getty Images) /

OT. San Francisco 49ers. Steve Wallace. 21. player. 42.

Greatest 49ers of all time: No. 21 – Steve Wallace

Career Stats with 49ers: 166 games played

Primarily a left tackle during his days with San Francisco, Steve Wallace was a true pioneer at the position. Sporting a nasty playing style and elite athleticism, he helped develop what would eventually become the mold of today’s all-important blindside blocker.

With the 49ers, though, he was much more than just a prototype. Wallace was a fierce competitor who made life very difficult for the unfortunate defender lined up across from him. He played every snap with a relentless motor, often to the chagrin of his opponents.

Wallace played on three Super Bowl teams during his time with the 49ers. In that same time span, he also earned one Pro Bowl nod and was named to three All-Pro teams.

Offensive linemen don’t often get a lot of credit for what they do on the field. In the case of Wallace, though, he earned more than enough praise by being one of the best left (and occasionally right) tackles in the NFL at that time.