Thank You, 1994 San Francisco 49ers

(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

I love the San Francisco 49ers. I have for as long as I can remember. Of course, it was quite easy to love the 49ers in the 1980s and 1990s. There were so many glorious teams and wonderful memories. And I can think of no harder task than picking a favorite.

Aside from the Super Bowl teams, there are plenty that hold a special place in my heart, like the 1998 team that finally excised the demon of Brett Favre ruining my playoff experience from the 1995 season (I was AT the game). The 2002 team provided that electric fourth quarter comeback against the Giants that is still stunning to watch.

I also have fondness for recent years like 2006 when it looked like the team was actually turning a corner until Norv left (Thanks San Diego!). Or last year when the 49ers took my advice of turning Mike Singletary into the head coach, admittedly half a season later than I wanted.

But it is the Super Bowl teams that fill my memories.

I would love to say I vividly remember any of the championship teams of the 1980s from first hand experience, but I don't. All I had were videos that I watched as a kid, and still watch over and over again. And each one holds a place in my heart.

The 1989-1990 team was probably the greatest team in 49ers', and possibly the NFL's, History. The roster jumps out as an All-80s team in its own right, and I am more than happy to explain and then argue why it is probably the best team in history. Their postseason dominance was ridiculous, and their combined margin of loss was five points.

The '81 team was a godsend for the championship-starved city by the bay. It was the first reward for the 49er Faithful for their decades of loyalty. They gave us iconic moments in football history, like The Catch, and the goal line stand, with Dan Bunz' great tackle on the one.

This team was immortalized for me on a video that contained the NFL Films Production of Super Bowl XVI. It gave me an appreciation of the Xs and Os of the game, and the minute details that could change the outcome of a game. It's why I learned about "Sweep Pass Right Z Comeback," where Walsh had read the coverage on Mike Wilson and knew a curl route would give Wilson a huge cushion to catch the ball.

On the same tape was NFL's Masters of the Game, NFL Films' production of Super Bowl XIX. This was my favorite as a child. It also advanced my understanding of Xs and Os, For instance, showing how the linebackers followed the guards, leaving the middle of the field open for TE Russ Francis to fill the void.

However, this film was more notable for its narration, with great quotes like, "Dan Marino's year turned into Joe Montana's day" or, "The texture of San Francisco's dominance was clearly woven into the intricate mayhem of line play." I still get goosebumps at the end with the line, "They were not only champions of the world, but Masters of the Game." To this day this team is still underrated, in spite of an 18-1 record.

I also had the video yearbook for the 1988 season, narrated beautifully by the late great Harry Kalas and accompanied by the sweet radio calls of Lon Simmons, and one or two by Joe Starkey. This team is considered the weakest link of the Super Bowl Teams, though it is a team that suffered key injuries throughout the season, including Joe Montana and Jerry Rice (though Rice refused to miss a game).

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