DeBartolo: ‘ Greatness began with Fred’s arrival’
That Fred Dean arrived late to the 49ers is ironic, because it seemed that he was never late to a target once he was wearing the 49ers’ uniform.
Something special already seemed to be happening for the 49ers in early October 1981. The team was 32 and its thirdyear quarterback with the cool name and its hardhitting rookie defensive backs were opening eyes around the league.
But it wasn’t until the second week of October, when Dean arrived via trade, that the 49ers’ dynasty was really born.
“The greatness of the 49ers truly began with Fred’s arrival in San Francisco,” former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. said in a statement Thursday.
Dean died Wednesday of complications from COVID19. He was 68 years old — the same age
as Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who recently tested positive for the coronavirus, which continues to infiltrate every corner of life, including the sports world.
Dean’s death is one more sharp and sad reminder that the victims of the virus aren’t just political talking points, that these are not just numbers to put up on a screen and dismiss as collateral damage.
They are human beings, with lives and loves and families and, in the case of Dean, a legend left to history.
“I am heartbroken,” DeBartolo said.
DeBartolo approved Bill Walsh’s decision to send San Diego draft choices for Dean, who was in a contract dispute with the Chargers, famously contending that he made less than his brotherinlaw, who was a truck driver.
Walsh sent Don Coryell’s team a 1983 secondround pick and the option to swap first round picks. ( In that 1983 draft, after some more Walsh draftposition finagling, the CharLott. gers took linebacker Billy Ray Smith and San Franciscoborn cornerback Gill Byrd ( a San Jose State alum) with their picks, and the 49ers selected Roger Craig with their top pick in the second round).
The move was a turning point for two teams run by brilliant offensive minds, both influenced by Sid Gillman. The Chargers could never seem to compensate defensively for the loss of Dean, who was their secondround draft pick in 1975 and was a Pro Bowl and AllPro player when they traded him.
Walsh, in contrast, understood that as dazzling and productive as his team’s offense was, he needed a fierce defense if he was going to contend for a championship. The 49ers relived their past a bit last season when they saw, once again, what one explosive pass rusher could do for their fortunes, when they drafted Nick Bosa.
In retrospect, the 49ers’ dynasty launched on Oct. 11 of ’ 81 when Dean, after just a couple of days of practice and Walsh insisting to broadcaster
John Madden that his new acquisition likely would not play much, played virtually the entire defensive game against the Dallas Cowboys. He made life miserable for quarterback Danny White and was a key catalyst in the 4514 victory, which was a harbinger of a slightly important rematch to come Jan. 10.
His teammates were enamored immediately. Defensive back Ronnie Lott has told the story of hearing the Dallas offensive linemen calling out, “Here he comes, here he comes,” but being powerless to stop him as Dean darted around and leaped over them on his way to White.
“And then, at halftime, he pulls out a pack of Kools and is smoking!” Lott recalled in amazement.
Dean was close to 30 when he got to the 49ers and was a wise and witty presence. Aside from the occasional smoke, he was known to say, “Every now and then, I get an urge to lift weights … and I just go somewhere and lie down until I get over it.” He wrote poetry and was a good singer, entertaining his teammates at the team Christmas parties.
Dean was overshadowed by the young players who were quickly becoming superstars: Joe Montana, Dwight Clark,
But all of them would note how important his arrival was to catapulting them toward greatness. Dean won two rings with the 49ers before retiring.
Dean is yet another member of that first 49ers championship team that is gone. Clark, of course, died in 2018 after dealing with ALS. Wide receiver Freddie Solomon died in 2012. Walsh and some of his key coaches, Bobb McKittrick and Bill McPherson also are gone. Their shared accomplishments are part of the Bay Area sports history that binds us together.
“He was a humble, kind and quiet giant, with a smile as big as he was,” said DeBartolo, who introduced Dean at his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 2008. “He never said very much, but when our defense needed him to make a big play, we looked to Fred and he never let us down. He leaves behind a Hall of Fame legacy both on and off the field and will be greatly missed.
“Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Pam, his children and his entire family.”