Niners Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Cal RB Jahvid Best Seriously Injured, Carted Off Field

49ers All-Time Inside Linebacker #2

In a not so surprising result, Ken Norton, Jr. is running away with the vote, amassing over 50% of the total vote.  Now seems as good a time as any to call the race.  We'll now open the balloting to the second all-time inside linebacker.

As mentioned in the previous ballot: "For those who don't notice, I've withheld Patrick Willis's name from the ballot.  I was actually quite tempted to include him considering his all-world rookie season.  However, I elected to withhold his name, barring a barrage of complaints in the comments.  We included Frank Gore in the running back vote in part because he had put together more than just one good season.  I'm actually feeling rather conflicted on this.  If enough people want Willis included I'd certainly be willing to reset the vote, but I think for now it's fine.  My thought on this is that in the coming years, as eligible candidates arise we can reopen some of these votes (for instance, if Gore starts setting career 49ers records we would definitely consider him in the ballot versus Roger Craig, as with Patrick Willis and others).  I'd love to hear people's thoughts on this."

Matt Hazeltine (1955-1968): Hazeltine played more seasons with the 49ers at inside linebacker than anybody else in team history.  He was selected to two Pro Bowls and was the captain of the 49ers for five seasons.  Upon his death in 1987 from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), the 49ers created the Matt Hazeltine "Ironman" Award, given to the most courageous and inspirational defensive player.

Gary Plummer (1994-1997): One could argue he's a reason for including Willis.  Plummer was an impact player who only played on the 49ers the last four seasons of his career.  The 49ers were on the cusp of the Super Bowl when Plummer and Norton were brought in as part of the group to put them over the top.  Plummer was a Bay Area man, attending community college in Fremont, earning his degree at UC Berkeley and playing three seasons for the Oakland Invaders of the USFL.  Plummer now writes for sf49ers.com

Michael Walter (1984-1993): After being drafted by the Cowboys and spending one season in Big D, Walter left for the Bay Area, where he played for ten seasons and on three Super Bowl squads.  Walter was a relatively low key, but integral member of those Super Bowl squads.  He led the team in tackles in 1987 and played as an ILB in the 3-4 alongside Bill Romanowski and also as an MLB in the 4-3.

Frank Nunley (1967-1976): Nunley was a hard-hitting MLB in the Dick Nolan flex defense of the 70s.  While he could make the tackles, Nunley was also a bit of a ballhawk, hauling in 14 interceptions in his career, including a career-high 4 in 1974.  Due to his "sweet disposition" off the field and his powerful tackling, Nunley was nicknamed Fudge Hammer (and no I'm not kidding).

Poll
Who should be our all-time #2 ILB?
Matt Hazeltine
41 votes
Gary Plummer
74 votes
Michael Walter
25 votes
Frank Nunley
20 votes

160 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 0 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

More from Niners Nation

49ers All-Time Cornerback #2

Sep 2009 by Fooch - 5 comments

49ers All-Time Cornerback #1

Sep 2009 by Fooch - 9 comments

49ers All-Time Inside Linebacker #2

Sep 2009 by Fooch - 11 comments

Comments

Display:

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

"We'll see them again in the playoffs." -- Coach Mike Singletary after a gut-wrenching week 3 loss to the Vikings.
Start posting about the 49ers »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Gary05-6_small21_small
Niners Forgotten Man Deserves Pro Bowl Recognition
Montana_action_150-188_1__small
Top NCAA/NFL Prospects
Dave_small
Week 9 Prediction Games
Mc_small
Ask Music City Miracles
Small
The Jimmy Raye play-by-play. Does he really suck?

Recent FanPosts

Images_small
Alex Smith
Small
time to get rid of another coach
Small
What to do about the 49ers Ownership? Ship them OUT!!!!
P1jackson_small
Alex Smith Sucks.
Small
I'm just glad we didn't make a move for a QB at the trade deadline!
Small
WHY DID WE LET KORY SHEETS GO
Images_small
Titans vs. 49ers: The World According to Madden
Small
summary of NFL Experts picking 49ers to win or lose this season
Small
Playoffs: Details on the 2 horse race...

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Cincy Jungle
Keith Rivers leaves on crutches. MRI shows it's not a season-ending injury
Big Blue View
TC: "You can second-guess it all you want"
Big Blue View
Tom Coughlin post-game, 11.08.09

SPONSORS


Head Ball Coach

Dave_small Fooch

Editors

Jerry_rice_small ProfessorBigelow

Assistant Coaches

Howtheyscoredcat_small howtheyscored

Pixies_logo_small Florida Danny

M_12a62905a0324d2da2f43ddaf62c630f_small Ninjames

Duct_tape_bandit_small Josh from Hollywood

Crab_tree_small briandean

Moderators

Jackalope_card_small wjackalope