22 days until 49ers kickoff: Who wore it best? Who wears it now?

The San Francisco 49ers kick off the 2015 NFL regular season on Monday Night Football, on September 14. That game. means San Francisco is now a mere 22 days away from kicking off its 2015 regular season. In the spirit of that approaching date, I thought I would steal this idea from our Oakland Raiders site.

Who wore it best: DB Dwight Hicks (1979-1985)

There was really no doubt about this one. The 49ers signed Dwight Hicks in 1979 while he was working in a stock room at a health food store. Pro Football Reference says he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1978, but he spent the year in the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts. He signed with the 49ers in 1979, and moved into the starting lineup in 1980. In 1981, he quickly became the veteran leader of a dominant secondary that now featured rookies Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright and Carlton Williamson. Hicks made the Pro Bowl in 1981 following a nine-interception campaign. He would go on to make the Pro Bowl 1982, 1983 and 1984.

A contract dispute resulted in his release after the 1985 season. He spent one year with the Indianapolis Colts and then retired. Hicks has been an actor in his retirement, filming a variety of roles in some notable films and TV shows. His IMDb profile lists appearances in The Rock, Armaggedon, Criminal Minds, Castle, and How I Met Your Mother. Most recently, he had a role in a football-related play at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

And for those wondering, the picture above is Tyrone Drakeford. He managed two separate five interception seasons in his four years with the 49ers.

Who wears it now: Nobody

Chris Cook sported No. 22 last season and early into training camp this year, but the team released him on August 5. The cornerback depth chart is deep with young talent. Cook was talented, but my guess is the team found themselves sufficiently comfortable with the young talent. Releasing Cook provides him a chance to land elsewhere if injuries happen.