1946 San Francisco 49ers season

1946 San Francisco 49ers season
1946 San Francisco 49ers season
Owner	Tony Morabito
General manager	John Blackinger
Head coach	Buck Shaw
Home stadium	Kezar Stadium
Results
Record	9–5
Division place	2nd AAFC West
Playoffs	Did not qualify

The 1946 San Francisco 49ers season was the inaugural season of the San Francisco 49ers and the first season of the All-America Football Conference. Led by head coach Buck Shaw, the team compiled a 9–5 record and finished second in the AAFC West Division.^[1] The 49ers also had the second best scoring offense (307 points scored) in the AAFC.^[2]

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Frankie Albert with 1,404 passing yards, fullback Norm Standlee with 651 rushing yards, and end Alyn Beals with 586 receiving yards and 61 points scored.^[3]

Personnel

Staff

**1946 San Francisco 49ers staff**
	Front office Principal Owner – Tony Morabito General Manager – John Blackinger Head coaches Head coach – Buck Shaw Offensive coaches Lines – Albert J. Ruffo			Defensive coaches Ends – Jim Lawson

Roster

1946 San Francisco 49ers final roster

Quarterbacks

Ends/Receivers

Linemen/Linebackers

33 Bruno Banducci G/DG
42 Bob Bryant T/DT
22 Gerry Conlee C/LB
21 Dutch Elston LB/C
34 Eddie Forrest LB/G
32 Garland Gregory G/DG
47 Visco Grgich T/DT
46 John Kuzman T/DT
45 John Mellus T/DT
37 Charlie Pavlich G/DG
23 Bill Remington C/LB
35 Rupe Thornton G/MG
41 John Woudenberg T/DT

Backs

83 Ken Casanega S/RB
93 Don Durdan CB/RB
81 Len Eshmont RB/CB
82 Pete Franceschi RB/CB
73 Ned Mathews S/FB
94 Earle Parsons RB/CB
72 Norm Standlee FB/LB
91 Johnny Strzykalski RB/CB
82 Joe Vetrano CB/RB/K

rookies in italics

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue
1	August 24	vs. Los Angeles Dons	W 17–7	1–0	Balboa Stadium
2	September 1	at Chicago Rockets	W 34–14	2–0	Soldier Field

^[4]

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Sources
1	September 8	New York Yankees	L 7–21	0–1	Kezar Stadium	^[5]
2	September 15	Miami Seahawks	W 21–14	1–1	Kezar Stadium	^[6]
3	September 22	Brooklyn Dodgers	W 32–13	2–1	Kezar Stadium	^[7]
4	September 29	at Chicago Rockets	L 7–24	2–2	Soldier Field	^[8]
5	October 8	at Miami Seahawks	W 34–7	3–2	Burdine Stadium	^[9]
6	October 12	at Los Angeles Dons	W 23–14	4–2	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	^[10]
7	October 19	at Buffalo Bisons	L 14–17	4–3	Civic Stadium	^[11]
8	October 27	at Cleveland Browns	W 34–20	5–3	Cleveland Municipal Stadium	^[12]
9	November 2	Buffalo Bisons	W 27–14	6–3	Kezar Stadium	^[13]
10	November 10	Cleveland Browns	L 7–14	6–4	Kezar Stadium	^[14]
11	November 17	at New York Yankees	L 9–10	6–5	Yankee Stadium	^[15]
12	November 24	at Brooklyn Dodgers	W 30–14	7–5	Ebbets Field	^[16]
13	November 30	Chicago Rockets	W 14–0	8–5	Kezar Stadium	^[17]
14	December 8	Los Angeles Dons	W 48–7	9–5	Kezar Stadium	^[18]
15	Bye
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

All game reports use the Pro Football Researchers' gamebook archive as a source.^[3]

Week 1: vs. New York Yankees

Week 1: New York Yankees at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Yankees	0	7	7	7	21
49ers	7	0	0	0	7

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Date: September 8, 1946
Game attendance: 35,000
Boxscore

Game information

First quarter

SF – Len Eshmont 40-yard pass from Frankie Albert (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 7–0.

Second quarter

NY – Lowell Wagner 40-yard blocked punt return (Harvey Johnson kick). Tied 7–7.

Third quarter

NY – Ace Parker 7-yard rush (Harvey Johnson kick). Yankees 14–7.

Fourth quarter

NY – Dewey Proctor 3-yard rush (Harvey Johnson kick). Yankees 21–7.

Top passers

NY – Spec Sanders – 5/13, 35 yards, INT
SF – Frankie Albert – 7/11, 96 yards

Top rushers

NY – Spec Sanders – 11 rushes, 46 yards
SF – Len Eshmont – 9 rushes, 24 yards

Top receivers

NY – Harry Burris – 2 receptions, 91 yards
SF – Len Eshmont – 3 receptions, 91 yards, TD

Week 2: vs. Miami Seahawks

Week 2: Miami Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	7	0	0	7	14
49ers	7	7	7	0	21

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Date: September 15, 1946
Game attendance: 25,000
Boxscore

Game information

First quarter

SF – Dick Renfro ?-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 7–0.
MIA – Lamar Davis 22-yard pass from Marion Pugh (Dick Erdlitz kick). Tied 7–7.

Second quarter

SF – Dick Renfro 5-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 14–7.

Third quarter

SF – Dick Renfro 3-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 21–7.

Fourth quarter

MIA – Prince Scott 30-yard pass from Cotton Price (Dick Erdlitz kick). 49ers 21–14.

Top passers

MIA – Cotton Price – 5/8, 94 yards, TD
SF – Jesse Freitas – 7/11, 75 yards, INT

Top rushers

MIA – Spec Sanders – rushes, 46 yards
SF – Dick Renfro – 10 rushes, 67 yards, 3 TD

Top receivers

MIA – Harry Burris – 3 receptions, 46 yards, TD
SF – Alyn Beals – 3 receptions, 32 yards

Week 3: vs. Brooklyn Dodgers

Week 3: Brooklyn Dodgers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Dodgers	7	0	0	6	13
49ers	7	12	13	0	32

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Date: September 22, 1946
Game attendance: 35,000
Boxscore

Game information

First quarter

BDA – Mickey Colmer 27-yard pass from Lew Mayne (Jim McCarthy kick). Dodgers 7–0.
SF – Len Eshmont 5-yard rush (John Mellus kick). Tied 7–7.

Second quarter

SF – Len Eshmont 35-yard pass from Frankie Albert. 49ers 13–7.
SF – Alyn Beals 43-yard pass from Frankie Albert. 49ers 19–7.

Third quarter

SF – Bob Titchenal 42-yard pass from Len Eshmont. 49ers 25–7.
SF – Frankie Albert 10-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 32–7.

Fourth quarter

BDA – Neal Adams 7-yard pass from Glenn Dobbs. 49ers 32–13.

Top passers

BRO – Glenn Dobbs – 23/40, 198 yards, TD
SF – Frankie Albert – 7/10, 145 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

BRO – Lew Mayne – 4 rushes, 21 yards
SF – Len Eshmont – 7 rushes, 47 yards, TD

Top receivers

BRO – Cal Purdin – 6 receptions, 58 yards
SF – Alyn Beals – 2 receptions, 68 yards, TD

Week 4: at Chicago Rockets

Week 4: San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Rockets – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	0	0	7	7
Rockets	0	3	14	7	24

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Date: September 29, 1946
Game attendance: 36,875
Boxscore

Game information

Second quarter

CHR – Steve Nemeth 20-yard field goal. Rockets 3–0.

Third quarter

CHR – Elroy Hirsch 8-yard pass from Bob Hoernschemeyer (Steve Nemeth kick). Rockets 10–0.
CHR – Bill Kellagher 3-yard rush (Steve Nemeth kick). Rockets 17–0.

Fourth quarter

SF – Len Eshmont 2-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). Rockets 17–7.
CHR – Ralph Heywood 15-yard pass from Bob Hoernschemeyer (Steve Nemeth kick). Rockets 24–7.

Week 5: at Miami Seahawks

Week 5: San Francisco 49ers at Miami Seahawks – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	7	7	7	13	34
Seahawks	0	0	0	7	7

at Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

Date: October 8, 1946
Game attendance: 7,621
Boxscore

Game information

First quarter

SF – Len Eshmont 2-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 7–0.

Second quarter

SF – Alyn Beals 12-yard pass from Jesse Freitas (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 14–0.

Third quarter

SF – Earle Parsons 24-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 21–0.

Fourth quarter

MIA – Prince Scott 4-yard pass from Jimmy Tarrant (Dick Erdlitz kick). 49ers 21–7.
SF – Pete Franceschi 8-yard rush. 49ers 27–7.
SF – John Kuzman 72-yard fumble return (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 34–7.

Week 6: at Los Angeles Dons

Week 6: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Dons – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	10	7	0	6	23
Dons	0	7	7	0	14

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Date: October 12, 1946
Game attendance: 12,500
Boxscore

Game information

First quarter

SF – Joe Vetrano 26-yard field goal. 49ers 3–0.
SF – Alyn Beals 5-yard pass from Frankie Albert (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 10–0.

Second quarter

LA – Andy Marefos 1-yard rush (Joe Aguirre kick). 49ers 10–7.

Third quarter

SF – Frankie Albert 5-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 17–7.
LA – Bob Nowaskey 35-yard interception return (Joe Aguirre kick). 49ers 17–14.

Fourth quarter

SF – Earle Parsons 66-yard rush. 49ers 23–14.

Week 7: at Buffalo Bisons

Week 7: San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bisons – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	14	0	0	14
Bisons	3	7	0	7	17

at Civic Stadium, Buffalo, New York

Date: October 19, 1946
Game attendance: 6,101
Boxscore

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Week 8: at Cleveland Browns

Week 8: San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	3	17	7	7	34
Browns	0	6	0	14	20

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Date: October 27, 1946
Game attendance: 70,365
Boxscore

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Standings

AAFC Western Division
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	PF	PA	STK
Cleveland Browns	12	2	0	.857	4–2	423	137	W5
San Francisco 49ers	9	5	0	.643	4–2	307	189	W3
Los Angeles Dons	7	5	2	.583	2–3–1	305	290	T1
Chicago Rockets	5	6	3	.455	1–4–1	263	315	T1

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

References

^ "1946 San Francisco 49ers Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
^ 1946 AAFC Standings Archived July 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
^ ^a ^b "1946 San Francisco 49ers Statistics and Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
^ "1946 San Francisco 49ers (AAFC)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
^ "New York Yankees at San Francisco 49ers - September 8th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "Miami Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers - September 15th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "Brooklyn Dodgers at San Francisco 49ers - September 22nd, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Rockets - September 29th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "San Francisco 49ers at Miami Seahawks - October 8th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Dons - October 12th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bisons - October 19th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns - October 27th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "Buffalo Bisons at San Francisco 49ers - November 2nd, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers - November 10th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "San Francisco 49ers at New York Yankees - November 17th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "San Francisco 49ers at Brooklyn Dodgers - November 24th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "Chicago Rockets at San Francisco 49ers - November 30th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
^ "Los Angeles Dons at San Francisco 49ers - December 8th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[1] "1946 San Francisco 49ers Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2020.

[2] 1946 AAFC Standings Archived July 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine

[PFR-3] "1946 San Francisco 49ers Statistics and Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2020.

[4] "1946 San Francisco 49ers (AAFC)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved October 28, 2023.

[5] "New York Yankees at San Francisco 49ers - September 8th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[6] "Miami Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers - September 15th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[7] "Brooklyn Dodgers at San Francisco 49ers - September 22nd, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[8] "San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Rockets - September 29th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[9] "San Francisco 49ers at Miami Seahawks - October 8th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[10] "San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Dons - October 12th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[11] "San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bisons - October 19th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[12] "San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns - October 27th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[13] "Buffalo Bisons at San Francisco 49ers - November 2nd, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[14] "Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers - November 10th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[15] "San Francisco 49ers at New York Yankees - November 17th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[16] "San Francisco 49ers at Brooklyn Dodgers - November 24th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[17] "Chicago Rockets at San Francisco 49ers - November 30th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

[18] "Los Angeles Dons at San Francisco 49ers - December 8th, 1946". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 7, 2025.

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San Francisco 49ers
Founded in 1946 Based and headquartered in Santa Clara, California
Franchise	Franchise Team history Coaches All-time roster Seasons Logo and uniform history Starting quarterbacks Draft history (first-round 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 Patricio Manuel Sourdough Sam San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush West Coast offense The Pigskin Priest KGO KNBR
Lore	1997 NFC Championship Game 2019 NFC Championship Game The Catch (II) Million Dollar Backfield Snowball Game No Punt Game Fútbol Americano Harbaugh Bowl The Tip Jet Chip Wasp Tom and Jerry
Rivalries	Arizona Cardinals Dallas Cowboys Green Bay Packers Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Rams New York Giants Seattle Seahawks Carroll–Harbaugh rivalry
Key figures	Owners: DeBartolo-York family CEO: Jed York Chairpeople: John and Denise DeBartolo York General manager: John Lynch Head coach: Kyle Shanahan
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)