10 NFL Players Who Played For Both The Raiders and 49ers

The rivalry between the Las Vegas Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers is one of the most legendary in the history of professional sports. However, there are some players who played for both sides of the rivalry. This article will look at some of the players who played for both the Raiders and the 49ers. 1. Jerry Rice WR Jerry Rice is one of the greatest football players of all time. He was born in Mississippi in 1962 and played college football at Mississippi Valley State University. Rice was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1985 and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. He is the all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. Jerry Rice was a three-time Super Bowl champion and was named the Super Bowl MVP in 1989. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Jerry Rice is one of the most accomplished football players in history and is considered one of the greatest of all time. 2. Jim Plunkett QB Jim Plunkett was the first overall pick in the 1971 NFL draft. He was the first overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft and went on to win two Super Bowls with the Raiders. Plunkett is considered one of the greatest comeback stories in NFL history, as he overcame blindness in one eye and a career-threatening injury to become a Super Bowl champion. 3. Ronnie Lott S Ronnie Lott played college football for the University of Southern California (USC), and was recognized as an All-American. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 1981 NFL Draft, and played for the 49ers for ten seasons before joining the Raiders for the 1991 and 1992 seasons. Lott was known for his hard-hitting style of play, and he was often referred to as “the intimidator.”Lott helped the 49ers win four Super Bowls, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. 4. Roger Craig RB Roger Craig played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1983 to 1990 before putting on the silver and black. Craig was the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and gain 1,000 yards receiving in the same season. 5. Rod Woodson S Rod Woodson played for the Steelers from 1987 to 1996, the San Francisco 49ers from 1997 to 1998, the Baltimore Ravens from 1999 to 2001, and the Oakland Raiders from 2002 to 2003. He was an NFL All-Pro six times, and was the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. His eleven career interceptions returned for touchdowns is an NFL record. He served as defensive backs coach for the Raiders and will be remembered as one of the best all-around safeties ever. 6. Charlie Garner RB Charlie Garner was one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Garner was a running back for the Oakland Raiders from 1999 to 2003. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2000 and helped the Raiders reach the Super Bowl that year. Garner also had a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2002. 7. Aldon Smith LB Aldon Smith played college football at the University of Missouri, and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2012 and has been voted to the Pro Bowl four times. He has also been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month four times. 8. Randy Moss WR Regarded as the best deep threat ever, Randy Moss struck fear into opposing defenders. He holds the NFL record for the most touchdown receptions in a single season and is considered one of the greatest wide receivers of all time. After a successful college career at Marshall University, Moss was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 1998. He had a breakout rookie season and went on to play for the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, and Tennessee Titans. Throughout his career, Moss was selected for seven Pro Bowls and was a five-time First-Team All-Pro. He retired from the NFL in 2012. 9. Tom Rathman FB A fierce blocker and punishing ball-carrier, two-time Super Bowl champion Tom Rathman led the way, winning Super Bowl XXIII in 1988 and Super Bowl XXIV in 1989. In addition to playing for both the Raiders and 49ers, Rathman also served on both teams coaching staff as a running backs coach. 10. Bill Romanowski LB Bill Romanowski was one of the most dominant linebackers of his era. A two-time Super Bowl champion, Romanowski was known for his physicality and ferociousness on the field. He was a key member of the legendary “San Francisco 49ers” teams of the 1980s and early 1990s, and later played for the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders. Romanowski was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s. He finished his career with 1,020 tackles, 79.5 sacks, and eight interceptions. 11. Nnamdi Asomougha CB Nnamdi Asomougha was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL during his career. He is known for his shutdown coverage and has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times. Asomougha is also a philanthropist and has been involved in various charities. In 2012, he founded the Asomougha Foundation which provides education and opportunities to underprivileged youth. 12. Reggie McKenzie LB Reggie McKenzie was drafted by the Raiders in the ninth round of the 1985 NFL Draft and played for the team from 1985 to 1988. After sitting out three years, McKenzie came back in 1992 as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. McKenzie became the Raiders’ GM in 2012, and helped the team rebuild its roster and make it a contender again. 13. NaVorro Bowman LB NaVorro Bowman played college football at Penn State, and was drafted by the 49ers in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Bowman has been selected to three Pro Bowls and is a two-time First-team All-Pro….

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Top 10 Toughest Raiders in History

Raiders Rule The 70’s The Las Vegas Raiders have one of the most feared franchises in all of football. Having the best winning percentage of any team throughout the 70s, the Raiders defense was arguably the most devastating group in the NFL at the time. In a decade where teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and Dolphins were so heavily dominant amongst any defense of any time period in professional football, the Raiders had standout players on both offense and defense who earned a reputation as some of the leagues toughest players. Here is a look at the Top 10 toughest Raiders players in history 10. Ted Hendrix- Linebacker (1975-1983) Known as “The Mad Stork”, Ted Hendrix was a nightmare for any offense across the league. The 6’7 linebacker was known to wreak havoc in the backfield, using his unique combination of size and speed. Hendrix has 61 career sacks and a combined 4 Super Bowl victories under his belt, being on all 3 Raiders Super Bowl winning teams and winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Colts. The hard hitting “Mad Stork” was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. 9. Matt Millen- Linebacker (1980-1988) Penn State was notoriously known as “Linebacker U”, producing some of the best that the position has to offer in the football world. Greats of the past like Jack Ham paved the way for the college powerhouse to groom some of footballs best linebackers. One of the Nittany Lions that contributed heavily to the Raiders organization was Matt Millen. Millen made an immediate impact on the Raiders defense, helping the Silver and black to two Super Bowls and winning one each with the 49ers and the Redskins. 8. John Matuzak- Defensive End (1976-1981) If you were around in the 1980’s then you might know that John Matuzak was not only one of the meanest Raiders to ever play the game, but he became somewhat of a social icon. Some may know that John Matuzak played the role of Sloth in 1985 hit movie The Goonies and appeared on TV shows like M*A*S*H* and A-Team. Before landing Hollywood roles, the 6’8 defensive end dominated on the defensive line, winning two Super Bowls in the process. Matuzak always made an impact with his helmet on first contact. In an interview, he described himself and the Raiders as “controversial”. 7. Gene Upshaw- Guard (1967-1981) The Raiders selected “Highway 63” in the first round of the 1967 NFL Draft out of Texas A&I (now Texas A&M – Kingsville). Upshaw, one of the greatest players in NFL history, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 after playing in 217 regular season games with 207 starts, 24 playoff games and three Super Bowls (II, XI, XV). He was named to seven All-Star Games/Pro Bowls and 1st Team All-Pro five times. After his playing career, he went on to become the executive director of the NFL Players Association, a post he held until his death in 2008. 6. Art Shell– Guard (1968-1982) Art Shell played in 207 games with 169 starts. He was selected for eight Pro Bowls, named 1st Team All-Pro twice, and was a key member of two Raiders Super Bowl championship teams for the Raiders in 1976 and 1980. Shell also served two stints as head coach of the Silver and Black and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. He was the first black head coach of the NFL modern era. 5. Jim Otto– Center (1960-1974) Jim Otto exemplified toughness and set the tone for the Raider image for years to come. He was the last of the original Raiders. During his 15 years with the Oakland Raiders the team won seven division championships and the 1967 AFL Championship. Nine-time AFL All-Star and three-time AFC-NFC Pro Bowler, winner of the Gorman Award twice as “Player Who Best Exemplifies the Pride and Spirit of the Oakland Raiders”. Jim Otto was also selected to the AFL-NFL 25-year All-Star Team and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. 4. Howie Long- Defensive End (1981-1993) Today you see Howie Long sitting along side Terry Bradshaw and Kirt Menefee to call NFL games on FOX.But in 1981 Long was selected by the Raiders and became a key member of the Raiders 1983 Super Bowl championship team. Long played in 179 games with 151 starts. He recorded 84 sacks, two interceptions for 84 yards and 10 fumble recoveries. Long was selected to play in eight Pro Bowls and named 1st Team All-Pro twice. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. 3. Ronnie Lott- Free Safety (1991-1992) Yes, Ronnie Lott cut off the tip of his pinky to resume a football game, so he earned a spot on this list. Lott is actually best known as a long time 49er. Lott played for the silver and black for two years after ten years in San Francisco. In his 32 games with the Raiders, he started all 32 and recorded 9 interceptions for 52 yards. He also forced 2 fumbles and recovered 2 fumbles. After his time with the Raiders, he finished his last two years with the Jets. Lott was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and will always be remembered as one of the league’s hardest hitters ever. 2. ” The Assassin” Jack Tatum- Free Safety (1971-1979) The name says it all. Jack Tatum would stand back at free safety waiting for an unlucky wide receiver to cross his path. The assassins hits on the field are some of the most memorable ever, with one famous hit coming on the games biggest stage in Super Bowl XI against the Vikings when wide receiver Sammy White fell victim to the Assassin. Tatum was a force to be reckoned with on the Raiders from 1971-1979, starting in all 120 games and racking up 30 interceptions and 8…

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