Tom Rathman

Thomas Dean Rathman, born October 7, 1962, is a former NFL fullback who played for the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Raiders. He played college football at Nebraska, then won two Super Bowls as a player before starting a coaching career in 1995. He coached the 49ers' running backs through the 2016 season and was later inducted into the 49ers' Hall of Fame.

Growing up in Grand Island, Nebraska, Rathman played three sports at Grand Island High School. On the football field, he played fullback and linebacker, earning first-team all-state honors in 1980. He also won a state championship in the high jump as a junior in 1980. He has since been inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame.

At the University of Nebraska, Rathman lettered in football for three years. He finished his college career with 1,425 rushing yards and averaged more than six yards per carry. Often called the greatest fullback in modern Nebraska history, he set several school position records, some still standing, including most rushing yards by a fullback in a single season (881 in 1985) and most career rushing touchdowns by a fullback (12). He was known for breaking long runs, especially during his senior year in 1985, when he averaged 7.5 yards per carry.

The 49ers selected Rathman in the third round of the 1986 NFL draft (56th overall). He played nine seasons as a fullback, eight with San Francisco. For his first five seasons, he was the lead blocker for fellow former Cornhusker Roger Craig. Rathman helped the 49ers win two Super Bowls, rushing for 38 yards, catching four passes for 43 yards, and scoring two touchdowns in Super Bowl XXIV. In 1989, he led all NFL running backs in receiving with 73 catches for 616 yards. His versatility as a pass catcher, blocker, and runner made him a model of the all-around fullback.

Rathman spent his final season in 1994 with the Los Angeles Raiders.

Over his NFL career, Rathman rushed for 2,020 yards, caught 320 passes for 2,684 yards, and scored 34 total touchdowns. He also returned five kickoffs for 103 yards. Known for his physical style as both a blocker and runner, he suffered many injuries and underwent 18 surgeries.

After retiring as a player, Rathman began coaching in 1995 as the running backs coach at Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo. The next year, he served as offensive coordinator at Menlo College in Atherton. He became a pro coach in 1997, joining the 49ers staff as running backs coach through 2002. In 2003, he followed head coach Steve Mariucci to the Detroit Lions, serving as running backs coach for three seasons. He then held the same role with the Oakland Raiders for three seasons before returning to the 49ers as running backs coach on January 7, 2009. He was retained by head coaches Jim Harbaugh (2011), Jim Tomsula (2015), and Chip Kelly (2016). After Kelly was fired, new head coach Kyle Shanahan did not rehire him. On February 27, 2018, Rathman was hired as running backs coach for the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts announced his retirement on January 28, 2021.

Rathman lives in Redwood Shores, California, with his wife Holly and their three daughters, Nicole, Ali, and Samantha.