David (Dave) Wilcox, an American professional football player who was a linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1964 through 1974 has died. Wilcox was born on September 29, 1942 and died on April 19, 2023. He was 80 years.
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A graduate of Vale High School in eastern Oregon, Wilcox began his college football career at Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) and earned junior college All-America honors.
Wilcox entered the NFL in 1964 as a third-round selection (No. 29 overall) in the NFL Draft. He chose to sign with the 49ers after being a sixth-round pick (No. 46) of the Houston Oilers in the AFL draft.
Wilcox played his entire 11-year professional career with the 49ers, was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and missed only one game in his career due to injury.
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Wilcox was enlisted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2000, along with 49ers legends Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott.
During his induction speech, Wilcox put into perspective his feelings on being honored among the greats to ever play the game.
He said:
“There are now 204 people in the Hall of Fame.”
“The maximum seven people are elected each year for the next hundred years, there will be 904 people.
“Think of how many guys have been associated with this game in the past, and how many will be involved in the next hundred years. There are only so few that make it to this select group. Amazing, isn’t it?”
Wilcox is survived by his wife Merle and sons Joshua David Wilcox and Justin Wilcox.
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