San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers were 6-6-2 in 1966, finishing in 4th place for the 2nd consecutive year. 

 

Between 1958 and 1969, the 49ers never won more than 7 games in a season. They had a good 3-year run from 1970-72, winning 10, 9, and 8 games respectively while making the playoffs each year (something they wouldn’t reach again until 1981). 

 

Like all the dozen or so 1966 football cards I've had since the 1960s, the Bruce Bosley and Walt Rock cards are in sad shape.

 

John Brodie was the 49ers’ 1st pick (3rd overall) in the 1957 draft. He was the starting QB from 1960 to 1971, but missed 11 games in 1963. Brodie led the NFL in TD passes in ’65 and ’70, and made the Pro Bowl in both seasons. 

 

George Mira – The 49ers 2nd pick in 1964, Mira played for San Fran from 1964-68, never starting more than 2 games in a season. Before the 1969 season, he was traded to the Eagles, with the 49ers fleecing Philly out of their 1966 1st-round pick (Randy Beisler). He also played for the Colts (’70) and Dolphins (’71), and played in the CFL and WFL from 1972-77. This is a custom card by RetroCards. 

 

John David Crow – The Cardinals’ 1st-round pick (3rd overall) in 1958, he was their starting halfback from 1958-64, making 3 Pro Bowls while there. Moving to the 49ers in 1965, he was a starter for the remainder of his career (1965-68), playing halfback until switching to tight end in 1968. 

 

Ken Willard was the 49ers’ 1st-round pick in 1965 and was the starting fullback every year from 1965-73. A 4-time Pro Bowler, he finished up with the Cardinals in 1974. 

 

*Gary Lewis – A 6th-round pick in 1964, Lewis was a bench player until 1968, when he started every game for the 49ers. After another season on the bench (1969) he played 1 game for the Saints in 1970. 

 

Bernie Casey was the 49ers’ 1st-round pick in 1961. A reserve as a rookie, he was the starting flanker for 1962-66. He also played for the Rams from 1967-68, and made the Pro Bowl in 1967. After his playing career he became an actor, appearing in some blaxploitation flicks in the early-70s. He appeared in several dozen movies after that, including "Brian’s Song", "Sharky’s Machine", "Never Say Never Again", and "Another 48 Hours". 

 

Dave Parks - The first overall pick by the 49ers in 1964, Parks was their starting split end from 1964-67, making the Pro Bowl in his first 3 seasons. In 1965 he lead the league in receptions and receiving yards, and was named first-team All-Pro. He also played for the Saints from 1968-72, starting at split end before switching to tight end in 1969. Parks finished up with the Oilers in 1973. 

 

Bruce Bosley was drafted by the 49ers in 1956. After starting every game at defensive end as a rookie, he switched to offense and was their starting left guard from 1958-61. He was the team’s starting center from 1962-68, then played for the Falcons in 1969. 

 

Walt Rock – The 49ers’ 2nd-round pick in 1963, Rock played defensive end as a rookie then started every game at right offensive tackle from 1964-67. He was also a starting tackle for the Redskins from 1969-73. 

 

Tommy Davis was drafted by the 49ers in 1957, but did not play until 1959. He was the team’s kicker and punter from 1959-1969, making the Pro Bowl in ’62 and ’63. 

 

Jimmy Johnson was the 49ers’ 1st-round pick (6th overall) in 1961. The team’s starting right cornerback as a rookie, he switched to flanker in 1962. He was a defensive back every season from 1963-76, starting all but 8 games in those 14 years. After playing free safety in 1963, he moved to left cornerback in 1964. A 5-time Pro Bowler and 3-time first-team All-Pro, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994. 

 

Kermit Alexander – The 49ers’ 1st-round pick in 1963, Alexander was a starter every season from 1963-69, usually at cornerback but playing free safety in ’64 and ’65. He was also a starter for the Rams from 1970-71, then finished his career as an Eagles' backup from 1972-73. He was also a kick and punt returner every season except 1972. 

 

Hall of Famers - 1

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023 

 

Next: Washington Redskins