Niner Noise
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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, Jimmy Johnson
SF 49ers all-time great Jimmy Johnson (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images) /

. CB. San Francisco 49ers. Jimmy Johnson. 5. player. 42

Greatest 49ers of all time: No. 5 – Jimmy Johnson

Career Stats with 49ers: 7 fumbles recovered, 47 interceptions, two touchdowns, one safety, 40 receptions, 690 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns

There weren’t many players in 49ers history who made as big an impact for so long the way Jimmy Johnson did. The No. 6 overall pick of 1961 got off to a hot start as a rookie and didn’t slow down until his retirement 16 years later.

What really made Johnson stand out was his versatility and playmaking abilities. During his lengthy career, the UCLA product played cornerback, safety and wide receiver for the 49ers. The majority of his time was spent at cornerback, though, a position in which he was nearly unbeatable.

All of his hard work culminated in an induction into the Hall of Fame in 1990. I’d say it was a well-deserved honor for one of the true shutdown cornerbacks of Johnson’s time.

While most casual fans won’t remember Johnson (possibly because they weren’t alive when he was playing), it’s worth knowing his name if you’re a 49er faithful.