San Francisco 49ers are a professional football team that plays in the National Football League (NFL). The team competes in the West Division of the National Football Conference. The 49ers play their home games at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The 49ers began play in 1946 as an original member of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The team entered the National Football League in 1950, after the AAFC ceased operation. From 1950 to 1980, the 49ers made the playoffs only four times. From 1983 to 1998, however, the team won 10 or more games in an NFL-record 16 consecutive seasons. The New England Patriots broke that record when they won 10 or more games in 17 consecutive seasons, from 2003 to 2019.
In 1982, San Francisco won the conference championship when quarterback Joe Montana threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Dwight Clark in the final minute of the game. The play became known as “the Catch” in NFL history. San Francisco then went on to win Super Bowl XVI. The 49ers also won Super Bowl XIX (played in 1985), Super Bowl XXIII (played in 1989), Super Bowl XXIV (played in 1990), and Super Bowl XXIX (played in 1995). The 49ers 55-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV is the most one-sided game in Super Bowl history. The 49ers also appeared in Super Bowl XLVII (played in 2013), Super Bowl LIV (played in 2020), and Super Bowl LVIII (played in 2024), but lost all three times.
San Francisco 49ers legends have included halfback Hugh McElhenny (1952-1960), running backs Roger Craig (1983-1990) and Frank Gore (2005-2014), safety Ronnie Lott (1981-1990), wide receivers Jerry Rice (1985-2000) and Terrell Owens (1996-2003), and quarterbacks Y.A. Tittle (1951-1960), Joe Montana (1979-1992), and Steve Young (1987-1999). Recent stars have included defensive lineman Nick Bosa, quarterback Colin Kaepernick, tight end George Kittle, and tackle Joe Staley.
