Dave Wilcox

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Lore & Background

Dave Wilcox arrived in San Francisco as a third-round pick in the 1964 NFL draft, having also been selected by the Houston Oilers in the sixth round of the AFL draft. He opted for the NFL and was converted to outside linebacker, where he earned the nickname "the Intimidator." Over 11 seasons from 1964 through 1974, Wilcox became the backbone of the 49ers defense. Under head coach Dick Nolan, the team made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons (1970, 1971, 1972). In 1970, San Francisco won the NFC West with a 10–3–1 record and defeated the Minnesota Vikings 17–14 in the divisional playoffs, holding them to 124 net passing yards and 117 yards rushing. However, they lost the NFC championship game to the Dallas Cowboys. In 1971, the 49ers allowed only 216 points (15.4 points/game), 6th-least in the NFL, and won the NFC West with a 9–5 record. They beat the Washington Redskins in the divisional playoffs, allowing only 99 yards rushing and 93 net passing yards, but again lost the NFC championship to Dallas. In 1972, San Francisco won the NFC West for the third straight year with an 8–5–1 record, allowing 249 points (17.8 points/game), 9th in the league, but lost the divisional playoff to Dallas—eliminated by the Cowboys three consecutive years.

In Their Own Story

After each season, the 49ers would rate their players based on performance. The typical score for a linebacker was 750. In 1973, Dave Wilcox's score was 1,306—nearly double the benchmark. That season, the veteran linebacker recorded 104 solo tackles, four forced fumbles, and tackled opposing ball carriers for a loss 13 times. Four times Wilcox was named All-NFL (1967, 1971, 1972, 1973) by the AP and two times All-NFC (1971, 1972). He was also selected to play in seven Pro Bowls. His consistency and ferocity defined an era of 49ers football, bridging the gap between the team's early struggles and their eventual rise to prominence.

Reader's Guide

Dave Wilcox played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1964 to 1974, spending his entire professional career with the team. Standing 6 ft 3 in and weighing 241 pounds, he was converted from a college guard and defensive end to an outside linebacker in the NFL. His nickname, "the Intimidator," reflected his punishing style of play. Wilcox was named to seven Pro Bowls and earned All-Pro honors five times. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. Born in Ontario, Oregon, Wilcox played high school football at Vale Union High School and college football at Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) and the University of Oregon. His sons Justin and Josh also played football for the Oregon Ducks, and Justin was the head coach at Cal from 2017 to 2025. Wilcox died on April 19, 2023, at the age of 80, shortly after having undergone heart surgery.

Did You Know?

• Dave Wilcox was nicknamed "the Intimidator."
• He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 1964 NFL draft and also by the Houston Oilers in the sixth round of the 1964 AFL draft, but opted for the NFL.
• Wilcox's older brother John was on the 1957 Oregon Ducks team that played in the Rose Bowl and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960.
• In 1973, Wilcox's performance score of 1,306 was nearly double the typical linebacker score of 750.
• Wilcox died on April 19, 2023, at age 80, shortly after undergoing heart surgery.