Ronnie Lott

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ronnie Lott was selected in the first round (8th overall) of the 1981 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers. From the very beginning of training camp he had the job as the 49ers' starting left cornerback. In his rookie season in 1981, he recorded seven interceptions, helped the 49ers to win Super Bowl XVI, and became the first rookie in NFL history to return three interceptions for touchdowns. His outstanding play resulted in him finishing second for rookie of the year honors, behind New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Lott switched to the safety position in 1985. He had the tip of his left pinky finger amputated during the 1985 season when it was crushed while tackling running back Timmy Newsome, and a bone graft surgery would not have allowed Lott to start the 1986 season. While he told doctors to amputate the tip of his pinky, years later, Lott regretted having the procedure done, saying that he should have just had an operation to fix his finger. An injury sidelined Lott for the season's last two games in 1986, but he still led the league with a career-best 10 interceptions, while recording 77 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two quarterback sacks.

In Their Own Story

The tip of his left pinky finger was gone. Crushed while tackling running back Timmy Newsome after the 1985 season, the bone graft surgery that could have saved it would have cost him the start of the 1986 season. Ronnie Lott told the doctors to amputate. Years later, he would say he regretted that choice, that he should have just had the operation to fix his finger. But in that moment, the decision was simple: play or sit. He chose to play. The missing fingertip became a quiet symbol of a career built on sacrifice. In 1986, despite missing the season's last two games due to another injury, Lott still led the league with a career-best 10 interceptions, adding 77 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two quarterback sacks. That season, he was named first-team All-Pro, one of eight such honors in his career. The 49ers won Super Bowl XXIII and XXIV with Lott as the anchor of their secondary, and he remains one of only five players to be part of all four 49ers Super Bowl wins in the 1980s.

Reader's Guide

The Ronnie Lott era with the San Francisco 49ers spanned from 1981 to 1990. He arrived as a first-round pick and immediately became the starting left cornerback, helping the team win Super Bowl XVI in his rookie year. In 1985, he switched to safety. Over his 10 seasons, the 49ers won eight division titles and four Super Bowls: XVI, XIX, XXIII, and XXIV. Lott was named to the Pro Bowl eight times during his 49ers tenure (1981–1984, 1986–1991) and was a first-team All-Pro seven times (1981, 1983, 1986–1991). He led the NFL in interceptions in 1986 with 10, a career best. His 51 career interceptions as a 49er remain a franchise record, as do his 643 interception return yards. He also holds the 49ers record for most interceptions in a single season (10, tied with Dave Baker). Lott's No. 42 jersey was retired by the San Francisco 49ers, and he was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

• Lott is one of only four players involved in all four 49ers Super Bowl wins in the 1980s, alongside Joe Montana, Keena Turner, and Eric Wright.
• He had the tip of his left pinky finger amputated during the 1985 season because a bone graft surgery would not have allowed him to start the 1986 season.
• In his rookie season (1981), Lott became the first rookie in NFL history to return three interceptions for touchdowns.
• Lott led the NFL in interceptions twice: in 1986 with a career-best 10, and in 1991 with 8 while playing for the Los Angeles Raiders.
• He holds the 49ers franchise record for most career interceptions (51) and most interception return yards (643).