Dave Wilcox was a 2000 Hall of Fame inductee who spent his entire 11-year career with the 49ers, who inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2009. Wilcox was selected to seven Pro Bowls, was a two-time All-Pro and the owner of one of the greatest nicknames in sports history.
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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.
While becoming one of the NFL’s most decorated players, Wilcox helped turn the 49ers from one of the league’s worst teams to one of its best.
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After winning just four games during his rookie season, Wilcox helped lead the 49ers to three consecutive division titles from 1970-72. The 49ers went to consecutive NFC Championship games in 1970-71 only to fall to Tom Landry’s Cowboys in both contests.
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 was born on September 29, 1942 and died on April 19, 2023 aged 80.
He is survived by his wife Merle and sons Joshua David Wilcox and Justin Wilcox.
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