The NFL has spent the past year celebrating the first 49 years of Super Bowl history, with Super Bowl 50 set to kick off in just over a week. This culminated on Thursday with the announcement of the "Super Bowl 50 Golden Team". The Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors voted on players and a head coach comprising the best overall career performances on the biggest stage.
The San Francisco 49ers have quite a few selections. The starting quarterback is Joe Montana, selected over Tom Brady, Terry Bradshaw, and Troy Aikman. This is not surprising given his great numbers in four Super Bowl wins and no losses, but given all the Brady chatter, it's still nice to see.
Jerry Rice is the only other offensive player from the 49ers to make the team. Running back Roger Craig was likely at least in the discussion, but it's hard to argue against Franco Harris and Emmitt Smith.
On defense, Ronnie Lott, Charles Haley, and Deion Sanders were all included. Sanders only played one year with the 49ers, but it was one of his two Super Bowl appearances. Haley won two Super Bowls with the 49ers, and three more with the Cowboys.
The voters selected Chuck Noll as the head coach over Bill Walsh. I'd love to have seen Walsh, but Noll had four Super Bowl wins in four tries. It is not surprising he got the nod over Walsh.
Here's the full Super Bowl 50 Golden Team:
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OFFENSE |
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QUARTERBACK (1) |
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TIGHT END (1) |
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Joe Montana |
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Jay Novacek |
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RUNNING BACKS (2) |
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WIDE RECEIVERS (2) |
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Franco Harris |
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Jerry Rice |
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Emmitt Smith |
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Lynn Swann |
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OFFENSIVE TACKLES (2) |
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CENTER (1) |
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Art Shell |
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Mike Webster |
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Forrest Gregg |
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GUARDS (2) |
HEAD COACH (1) |
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Gene Upshaw |
Chuck Noll |
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Larry Allen |
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DEFENSE |
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DEFENSIVE ENDS (2) |
INTERIOR LINEMEN (2) |
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Reggie White |
Joe Greene |
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Charles Haley |
Randy White |
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CORNERBACKS (2) |
SAFETIES (2) |
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Mel Blount |
Ronnie Lott |
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Deion Sanders |
Jake Scott |
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OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (2) |
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (2) |
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Lawrence Taylor |
Jack Lambert |
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Jack Ham |
Ray Lewis |
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SPECIALISTS |
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KICKER (1) |
RETURN SPECIALIST (1) |
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Adam Vinatieri |
Desmond Howard |
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PUNTER (1) |
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Ray Guy |
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