Bob St. Clair

Lore & Background

A native San Franciscan, Bob St. Clair attended San Francisco Polytechnic High School (located across the street from Kezar Stadium) and the University of San Francisco, and was part of USF's undefeated 1951 team, which famously refused to play in the Orange Bowl because the team was asked to keep its black players, future NFL hall of famer Ollie Matson and future NFL game official Burl Toler, from playing because they were black. Since USF did not return to field a football team for the 1952 season, St. Clair finished his college career at the University of Tulsa.

St. Clair was drafted by the 49ers in the third round of the 1953 NFL draft. He played his entire 11-year professional career in San Francisco, making his year at Tulsa the only season he did not play home games in Kezar Stadium. He began his career by successfully holding out for a $6,000 rookie salary. In his first preseason, he earned his spot on the 1953 team by holding his own against defensive tackle Leo Nomellini in practice.

Primarily an offensive tackle, he played alongside the Million Dollar Backfield, whose halfback Hugh McElhenny considered him a dominant blocker. He started every game for the 49ers from 1954 to 1956, when he also received his first Pro Bowl selection. Due to his size, St. Clair was also an effective special teams player. He blocked 19 field goals over the course of his career, ten of which came in 1956, and was instrumental in Abe Woodson's 105-yard kick return touchdown in 1959.

His only postseason game came in 1957. After missing eight weeks with a shoulder injury early in the season, St. Clair returned as the 49ers ended the season with an 8–4 record, tying the Detroit Lions to force a one-game playoff, which Detroit won in a 31–27 comeback victory. St. Clair once again started at least ten games in each of the 1958–1961 seasons, receiving Pro Bowl honors each year. He missed time due to an Achilles injury in 1962, but returned to play the entire 1963 season, for which he received the 49ers' Len Eshmont Award.

During the 1964 preseason, he injured his other Achilles tendon during punt return practice, requiring career-ending surgery. A perennial team captain, St. Clair was nicknamed "the Geek" by his teammates due to his eccentric off-the-field behavior, including a habit of eating raw meat, which he frequently used to intimidate 49ers rookies. St.

Reader's Guide

Bob St. Clair was a dominant offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers, known for his size, intelligence, and special teams prowess. He blocked 19 field goals in his career and was a nine-time All-Pro selection. He played college football at USF and Tulsa, and his entire professional career was spent in San Francisco. Off the field, he served as a Daly City councilmember and mayor, and later as a San Mateo County supervisor.

Did You Know?

• St. Clair blocked 19 field goals over his career, including 10 in the 1956 season.
• St. Clair was elected to Daly City's city council in 1958 while still an active player.
• The field at Kezar Stadium was renamed in his honor on January 19, 2001.