1950_San_Francisco_49ers_season References

1950 San Francisco 49ers season
1950 San Francisco 49ers season
Owner	Tony Morabito
General manager	John Blackinger
Head coach	Buck Shaw
Home field	Kezar Stadium
Results
Record	3–9
Division place	T–5th NFL National
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
	← 1949; 49ers seasons; 1951 →;

The 1950 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 1st season in the National Football League and their 5th overall. After playing the previous four years in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), which folded after the 1949 season, the 49ers, Baltimore Colts, and Cleveland Browns all joined the NFL from the AAFC.

San Francisco's first NFL game was at Kezar Stadium on September 17 against the New York Yanks, as the 49ers fell short, losing by a score of 21–17. They started the season 0–5 before recording their first NFL victory in a 28–27 win over the Detroit Lions at home. The Niners played better after the 0–5 start, went 3–4 in their remaining 7 games to finish the season 3–9, and failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Quarterback Frankie Albert completed 50.7% of his passes, while throwing for 14 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. Running back Joe Perry rushed for a team-high 647 yards and 5 touchdowns, while wide receiver Alyn Beals caught 22 passes for 315 yards, and 3 touchdowns.

Offseason

NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
1950 San Francisco 49ers draft
1	11	Leo Nomellini * ^†	Defensive tackle	Minnesota
2	23	Don Campora	Tackle	Pacific
3	37	Ray Collins *	Tackle	LSU
4	49	Morris Bailey	End	TCU
5	63	Harry Kane	Center	Pacific
6	75	Don Van Pool	End	Oklahoma A&M
7	89	Lindy Berry	Back	TCU
8	101	Ellery Williams	End	Santa Clara
9	115	Pete Zinach	Back	West Virginia
10	127	Bob Celeri	Quarterback	California
11	141	Harley Dow	Guard	San Jose State
12	153	Don Burke	Linebacker	USC
13	167	Lou Cecconi	Back	Pittsburgh
14	179	Tom Payne	End	Santa Clara
15	193	Leo Crampsey	End	St. Bonaventure
16	205	Charley Shaw	Guard	Oklahoma A&M
17	219	Cliff Van Meter	Back	Tulane
18	231	Ralph Genito	Back	Kentucky
19	245	Forest Klein	Guard	California
20	257	Jack Nix	Quarterback	USC
21	271	Guerin Alker	Center	Loyola (CA)
22	283	Billy Wilson *	End	San Jose State
23	297	Jimmy "Froggy" Williams	End	Rice
24	309	Bill Wyman	Tackle	Rice
25	323	Bob Dunn	Guard	Dayton
26	335	Jim Powers	Quarterback	USC
27	349	Ken Johnson	Guard	Pacific
28	361	Charley Hall	Back	Arizona
29	375	Bob Whelan	Back	Boston College
30	387	Bob Stillwell	End	USC
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Source:^[1]^[2]

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	August 21	Washington Redskins	L 12–31	0–1	Kezar Stadium	51,201
2	August 27	vs. Philadelphia Eagles	L 10–28	0–2	DU Stadium	17,000
3	August 30	at Baltimore Colts	W 27–14	1–2	Memorial Stadium	7,500
4	September 1	at Chicago Cardinals	L 21–28	1–3	Comiskey Park	29,207
5	September 10	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 10–13	1–4	Forbes Field	19,733

^[3]

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 17	New York Yanks	L 17–21	0–1	Kezar Stadium	29,600	Recap
2	September 24	Chicago Bears	L 20–32	0–2	Kezar Stadium	35,558	Recap
3	October 1	Los Angeles Rams	L 14–35	0–3	Kezar Stadium	27,262	Recap
4	October 8	at Detroit Lions	L 7–24	0–4	Tiger Stadium	17,337	Recap
5	October 12	at New York Yanks	L 24–29	0–5	Yankee Stadium	5,740	Recap
6	October 22	Detroit Lions	W 28–27	1–5	Kezar Stadium	27,350	Recap
7	October 29	Baltimore Colts	W 17–14	2–5	Kezar Stadium	14,800	Recap
8	November 5	at Los Angeles Rams	L 21–28	2–6	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	15,952	Recap
9	November 12	at Cleveland Browns	L 14–34	2–7	Cleveland Municipal Stadium	28,786	Recap
10	November 19	at Chicago Bears	L 0–17	2–8	Wrigley Field	35,105	Recap
11	November 26	at Green Bay Packers	L 21–25	2–9	City Stadium	13,186	Recap
12	Bye
13	December 10	Green Bay Packers	W 30–14	3–9	Kezar Stadium	19,204	Recap
Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. New York Yanks

Week One: New York Yanks at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Yanks	14	0	7	0	21
49ers	0	10	0	7	17

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Date: Sunday, September 17
Game attendance: 29,600
Pro-Football-Reference.com ^[4]

Game information

First quarter

NYY – Zollie Toth 2 yard run, Chet Adams kick (NYY 7–0)
NYY – Joe Golding 32 yard fumble return, Chet Adams kick (NYY 14–0)

Second quarter

SF – Paul Salata 2 yard pass from Frankie Albert ( Gordie Soltau kick)

Top passers

NYY –
SF –

Top rushers

NYY – Zollie Toth, 18 Car, 108 Yds, 1 TD
SF –

Top receivers

NYY –
SF –

Top tacklers

NYY –
SF –

Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears

Week Two: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	3	9	17	3	32
49ers	7	7	0	6	20

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Date: Sunday, September 24
Game attendance: 35,558
Pro-Football-Reference.com ^[4]

Game information

First quarter

SF – Bruno Banducci 11 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 7–0)
CHB – George Blanda 34 yard field goal (SF 7–3)

Second quarter

SF – Norm Standlee 1 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 14–3)
CHB – Safety, Wash Serini tackled Frankie Albert in end zone (SF 14–5)
CHB – Ken Kavanaugh unknown fumble return, Johnny Lujack kick (SF 14–12)

Third quarter

CHB – Julie Rykovich 15 yard run, Johnny Lujack kick (CHB 19–14)
CHB – George Blanda 28 yard field goal (CHB 22–14)
CHB – Gerry Weatherly 23 yard interception return, Johnny Lujack kick (CHB 29–14)

Fourth quarter

CHB – George Blanda 40 yard field goal (CHB 32–14)
SF – Frankie Albert 1 yard run, kick failed (CHB 32–20)

Top passers

CHB –
SF –

Top rushers

CHB –
SF –

Top receivers

CHB –
SF –

Top tacklers

CHB –
SF –

Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Week Three: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	14	0	14	7	35
49ers	0	7	7	0	14

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Date: Sunday, October 1
Game attendance: 27,262
Pro-Football-Reference.com ^[4]

Game information

First quarter

LA – Dick Hoerner 1 yard run, Bob Waterfield kick (LA 7–0)
LA – Glenn Davis 5 yard run, Bob Waterfield kick (LA 14–0)

Second quarter

SF – Paul Salata 2 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (LA 14–7)

Third quarter

SF – Jim Cason 13 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (TIE 14–14)
LA – Vitamin Smith 97 yard kickoff return, Bob Waterfield kick (LA 21–14)
LA – Dan Towler 34 yard run, Bob Waterfield kick (LA 28–14)

Fourth quarter

LA – Tank Younger 1 yard run, Bob Waterfield kick (LA 35–14)

Top passers

LA –
SF –

Top rushers

LA –
SF –

Top receivers

LA –
SF – Alyn Beals 7 Rec, 106 Yds

Top tacklers

LA –
SF –

Week 4: at Detroit Lions

Week Four: San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	0	7	0	7
Lions	3	7	7	7	24

at Briggs Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

Date: Sunday, October 8
Game attendance: 17,337
Pro-Football-Reference.com ^[4]

Game information

First quarter

DET – Doak Walker 23 yard field goal (DET 3–0)

Second quarter

DET – Bobby Layne 1 yard rush, Doak Walker kick (DET 10–0)
SF – Joe Perry 1 yard rush, Gordie Soltau kick (DET 10–7)

Third quarter

DET – Cloyce Box 23 yard pass from Bobby Layne, Doak Walker kick (DET 17–7)

Fourth quarter

DET – Doak Walker 28 yard pass from Bobby Layne, Doak Walker kick (DET 24–7)

Top passers

SF –
DET –

Top rushers

SF –
DET –

Top receivers

SF – Jim Cason 8 Rec, 124 Yds, 1 TD
DET –

Top tacklers

SF –
DET –

Week 5: at New York Yanks

Week Five: San Francisco 49ers at New York Yanks – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	10	0	7	7	24
Yanks	0	15	0	14	29

at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York

Date: Thursday, October 12
Game attendance: 5,740
Pro-Football-Reference.com ^[4]

Game information

First quarter

SF – Gordie Soltau 26 yard field goal (SF 3–0)
SF – Johnny Strzykalski 28 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 10–0)

Second quarter

NYY – Sherman Howard 24 yard pass from George Ratterman, kick failed (SF 10–6)
NYY – Art Weiner 34 yard pass from George Ratterman, Chet Adams kick (NYY 13–10)
NYY – Safety, Martin Ruby tackled Frankie Albert in end zone (NYY 15–10)

Third quarter

SF – Joe Perry 5 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 17–15)
LA – Dick Hoerner 1 yard run, Bob Waterfield kick (TIE 14–14)
LA – Paul Barry 1 yard run, Bob Waterfield kick (LA 21–14)
LA – Tom Keane 25 yard interception return, Bob Waterfield kick (LA 28–14)

Fourth quarter

SF – Jim Cason 27 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 24–15)
NYY – George Taliaferro 12 yard pass from George Ratterman, Chet Adams kick (SF 24–22)
NYY – Buddy Young 14 yard rush, Chet Adams kick (NYY 29–24)

Top passers

SF –
NYY –

Top rushers

SF –
NYY –

Top receivers

SF – Jim Cason 8 Rec, 124 Yds, 1 TD
NYY –

Top tacklers

SF –
NYY –

Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions

Week Six: Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	0	7	14	6	27
49ers	14	7	7	0	28

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Date: Sunday, October 22
Game attendance: 27,350
Pro-Football-Reference.com ^[4]

Game information

First quarter

SF – Joe Perry 2 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 7–0)
SF – Alyn Beals 9 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 14–0)

Second quarter

SF – Gordie Soltau 4 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 21–0)
DET – Cloyce Box 58 yard pass from Bobby Layne, Doak Walker kick (SF 21–7)

Third quarter

SF – Jim Cason 9 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 28–7)
DET – Doak Walker 58 yard pass from Bobby Layne, Doak Walker kick (SF 28–14)
DET – Jim Cain 2 yard fumble return, Bobby Layne kick (SF 28–21)

Fourth quarter

DET – Dick Rifenburg 19 yard pass from Robert Hoernschemeyer, kick failed (SF 28–27)

Top passers

DET –
SF –

Top rushers

DET –
SF –

Top receivers

DET –
SF –

Top tacklers

DET –
SF –

Week 7: vs. Baltimore Colts

Week Seven: Baltimore Colts at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	7	0	7	14
49ers	0	7	0	10	17

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Date: Sunday, October 29
Game attendance: 14,800
Pro-Football-Reference.com ^[4]

Game information

First quarter

No scoring

Second quarter

SF – Emil Sitko 4 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 7–0)
BAL – Hal Crisler 31 yard pass from Y. A. Tittle, Rex Grossman kick (TIE 7–7)

Third quarter

No scoring

Fourth quarter

SF – Frankie Albert 1 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 14–7)
SF – Gordie Soltau 13 yard field goal (SF 17–7)
BAL – Chet Mutryn 1 yard run, Rex Grossman kick (SF 17–14)

Top passers

BAL –
SF –

Top rushers

BAL –
SF – Joe Perry, 16 Car, 142 Yds

Top receivers

BAL – Hal Crisler 3 Rec, 117 Yds, 1 TD
SF –

Top tacklers

BAL –
SF –

Week 8: at Los Angeles Rams

Week Eight: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	7	7	7	21
Rams	0	7	21	0	28

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Date: Sunday, November 5
Game attendance: 15,952
Pro-Football-Reference.com ^[4]

Game information

First quarter

No scoring

Second quarter

SF – Jim Cason 24 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 7–0)
LA – Bob Boyd 72 yard pass from Bob Waterfield, Bob Waterfield kick (TIE 7–7)

Third quarter

SF – Howie Livingston 35 yard interception return, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 14–7)
LA – Dick Hoerner 1 yard run, Bob Waterfield kick (TIE 14–14)
LA – Paul Barry 1 yard run, Bob Waterfield kick (LA 21–14)
LA – Tom Keane 25 yard interception return, Bob Waterfield kick (LA 28–14)

Fourth quarter

SF – Alyn Beals 36 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (LA 28–21)

Top passers

SF –
LA –

Top rushers

SF –
LA –

Top receivers

SF –
LA –

Top tacklers

SF –
LA –

Week 9: at Cleveland Browns

Week Nine: San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	7	7	0	0	14
Browns	7	7	3	17	34

at Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Date: Sunday, November 12
Game attendance: 28,786
Pro-Football-Reference.com ^[4]

Game information

First quarter

SF – Frankie Albert 1 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 7–0)
CLE – Dub Jones 7 yard pass from Otto Graham, Lou Groza kick (TIE 7–7)

Second quarter

CLE – Marion Motley 22 yard run, Lou Groza kick (CLE 14–7)
SF – Alyn Beals 28 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (TIE 14–14)

Third quarter

CLE – Lou Groza 22 yard field goal (CLE 17–14)

Fourth quarter

CLE – Lou Groza 10 yard field goal (CLE 20–14)
CLE – Dub Jones 3 yard run, Lou Groza kick (CLE 27–14)
CLE – Rex Bumgardner 12 yard run, Lou Groza kick (CLE 34–14)

Top passers

SF –
CLE –

Top rushers

SF –
CLE – Marion Motley 21 Car, 114 Yds, 1 TD

Top receivers

SF – Alex Loyd 5 Rec, 102 Yds
CLE –

Top tacklers

SF –
CLE –

Week 10: at Chicago Bears

Week Ten: San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	0	0	0	0
Bears	10	7	0	0	17

at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

Date: Sunday, November 19
Game attendance: 35,105
Pro-Football-Reference.com ^[4]

Game information

First quarter

CHI – George Blanda 32 yard field goal (CHI 3–0)
CHI – John Hoffman 39 yard interception return, Johnny Lujack kick (CHI 10–0)

Second quarter

CHI – Ken Kavanaugh 39 yard pass from Johnny Lujack, Johnny Lujack kick (CHI 17–0)

Third quarter

no scoring

Fourth quarter

no scoring

Top passers

SF –
CHI –

Top rushers

SF –
CHI –

Top receivers

SF –
CHI –

Top tacklers

SF –
CHI –

Week 11: at Green Bay Packers

Week Eleven: San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	7	0	14	0	21
Packers	7	6	0	12	25

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Date: Sunday, November 26
Game attendance: 13,196
Pro-Football-Reference.com ^[4]

Game information

First quarter

SF – Johnny Strzykalski 1 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 7–0)
GB – Billy Grimes 57 yard run, Ted Fritsch kick (TIE 7–7)

Second quarter

GB – Tony Canadeo 2 yard run, kick failed (GB 13–7)

Third quarter

SF – Fred Gehrke 2 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 14–13)
SF – Emil Sitko 10 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 21–13)

Fourth quarter

GB – Jack Cloud 2 yard run, kick failed (SF 21–19)
GB – Floyd Reid 44 yard pass from Paul Christman, kick failed (GB 25–21)

Top passers

GB –
SF –

Top rushers

GB –
SF –

Top receivers

GB –
SF –

Top tacklers

GB –
SF –

Week 13: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week Thirteen: Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	7	0	7	0	14
49ers	10	14	0	6	30

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Date: Sunday, December 10
Game attendance: 19,204
Pro-Football-Reference.com ^[4]

Game information

First quarter

GB – Billy Grimes 96 yard pass from Tobin Rote, Ted Fritsch kick (GB 7–0)
SF – Johnny Strzykalski 7 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (TIE 7–7)
SF – Gordie Soltau 21 yard field goal (SF 10–7)

Second quarter

SF – Joe Perry 10 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 17–7)
SF – Joe Perry 78 yard run, Jack Nix pass from Frankie Albert (SF 24–7)

Third quarter

GB – Steve Pritko 3 yard pass from Tobin Rote, Clayton Tonnemaker kick (SF 24–14)

Fourth quarter

SF – Fred Gehrke 4 yard pass from Frankie Albert, kick failed (SF 30–14)

Top passers

GB –
SF –

Top rushers

GB –
SF – Joe Perry, 9 Car, 135 Yds, 1 TD

Top receivers

GB –
SF –

Top tacklers

GB –
SF –

Standings

NFL National Conference
view talk	W	L	T	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Los Angeles Rams	9	3	0	.750	9–2	466	309	W1
Chicago Bears	9	3	0	.750	8–2	279	207	W1
New York Yanks	7	5	0	.583	7–4	366	367	W1
Detroit Lions	6	6	0	.500	5–6	321	285	L1
San Francisco 49ers	3	9	0	.250	3–8	213	300	W1
Green Bay Packers	3	9	0	.250	2–9	244	406	L2
Baltimore Colts	1	11	0	.083	1–4	213	462	L5

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Pro Bowl

San Francisco's players selected for the Pro Bowl:

Player	Position
Frankie Albert	Quarterback
Visco Grgich	Offensive line
Leo Nomellini	Defensive line
Norm Standlee	Running back
Johnny Strzykalski	Running back

References

^ "1950 San Francisco 49ers Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
^ San Francisco 49ers. ""2008 Media Guide". p. 367.
^ "1950 San Francisco 49ers (NFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l San Francisco 49ers 2008 Media Guide. San Francisco 49ers. p. 268.

External links

[1] "1950 San Francisco 49ers Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 17, 2024.

[2] San Francisco 49ers. ""2008 Media Guide". p. 367.

[3] "1950 San Francisco 49ers (NFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved November 2, 2023.

[p268-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l San Francisco 49ers 2008 Media Guide. San Francisco 49ers. p. 268.

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v t e San Francisco 49ers
Founded in 1946 Based and headquartered in Santa Clara, California
Franchise	Franchise Team history Coaches Players Seasons Logo and uniform history Starting quarterbacks Draft history ( First-round draft picks) Broadcasters Retired numbers
Stadiums	Kezar Stadium Candlestick Park Levi's Stadium State Farm Stadium Three games played due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Culture	49er Faithful Sourdough Sam San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush West Coast offense The Pigskin Priest KGO KNBR
Lore	The Catch ( II) Joe Cool Million Dollar Backfield Snowball Game No Punt Game Fútbol Americano Harbaugh Bowl The Tip Jet Chip Wasp
Rivalries	Arizona Cardinals Dallas Cowboys Green Bay Packers Oakland Raiders (former) Los Angeles Rams New York Giants Seattle Seahawks
Key figures	Eddie DeBartolo Denise DeBartolo York Jed York John York Gideon Yu
Division championships (22)	1970 1971 1972 1981 1983 1984 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 2002 2011 2012 2019 2022 2023
Conference championships (8)	1981 1984 1988 1989 1994 2012 2019 2023
League championships (5)	1981 (XVI) 1984 (XIX) 1988 (XXIII) 1989 (XXIV) 1994 (XXIX)
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1950–present) Conference: National Football Conference Division: West Division
Former league affiliation	All-America Football Conference (1946–1949)