1950 San Francisco 49ers season

NFL team season

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

1950 San Francisco 49ers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
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 34Total
Yanks 14 0 7021
49ers 0 10 0717

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

  • Date: Sunday, September 17
  • Game attendance: 29,600
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com [4]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Top passers
  • NYY –
  • SF –
Top rushers
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 34Total
Bears 3 9 17332
49ers 7 7 0620

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

  • Date: Sunday, September 24
  • Game attendance: 35,558
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com [4]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
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 34Total
Rams 14 0 14735
49ers 0 7 7014

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

  • Date: Sunday, October 1
  • Game attendance: 27,262
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com [4]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
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
Top tacklers
  • LA –
  • SF –

Week 4: at Detroit Lions

Week Four: San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 0 0 707
Lions 3 7 7724

at Briggs Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: Sunday, October 8
  • Game attendance: 17,337
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com [4]
Game information
First quarter
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 34Total
49ers 10 0 7724
Yanks 0 15 01429

at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York

  • Date: Thursday, October 12
  • Game attendance: 5,740
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com [4]
Game information
First quarter
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 34Total
Lions 0 7 14627
49ers 14 7 7028

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

  • Date: Sunday, October 22
  • Game attendance: 27,350
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com [4]
Game information
First quarter
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
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 34Total
Colts 0 7 0714
49ers 0 7 01017

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
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
Top tacklers
  • BAL –
  • SF –

Week 8: at Los Angeles Rams

Week Eight: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 0 7 7721
Rams 0 7 21028

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
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
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 34Total
49ers 7 7 0014
Browns 7 7 31734

at Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: Sunday, November 12
  • Game attendance: 28,786
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com [4]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
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
Top receivers
Top tacklers
  • SF –
  • CLE –

Week 10: at Chicago Bears

Week Ten: San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 0 0 000
Bears 10 7 0017

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 34Total
49ers 7 0 14021
Packers 7 6 01225

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: Sunday, November 26
  • Game attendance: 13,196
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com [4]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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 34Total
Packers 7 0 7014
49ers 10 14 0630

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

  • Date: Sunday, December 10
  • Game attendance: 19,204
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com [4]
Game information
First quarter
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
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
  • edit
 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

  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.
  4. ^ 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

  • 1950 49ers on Pro Football Reference
  • SHRP Sports
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