# 1950 San Francisco 49ers 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 |
| 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:

## 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 |

## 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 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | 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

| Quarter | 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
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

| Quarter | 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
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

| Quarter | 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
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

| Quarter | 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
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

| Quarter | 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
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

| Quarter | 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
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

| Quarter | 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
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

| Quarter | 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
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

| Quarter | 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
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

| Quarter | 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
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

| Quarter | 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
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

| Quarter | 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
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 :
| viewtalkedit | 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 |