![]() I was convinced that it was going to be a fumble, but Hearst held on, falling into the endzone and capturing the hearts of millions of Americans in the process. And although Jerry Rice was who drew me to the 49ers, Hearst gets the credit of keeping me a fan for good that run being the icing on the cake.Īside from the run itself, my most vivid memory of that play was watching Mo Lewis’ diving attempt to punch the ball out of Hearst’s hands from behind. Steve Young and Jerry Rice were merely afterthoughts. I forgot about every other player in the NFL life was now only about Garrison Hearst. From then on Hearst was my favorite player of all time. And I then watch him break off the longest run in the most clutch situation that I had ever experienced in my short history of NFL fandom. And then this happened:Īgain I’m a 10-year old 49er fan, who already liked Garrison Hearst. After the Jets failed to get a first down, Jet punter Nick Gallery pinned the Niners on their own four-yard line. 5 6Īfter playing to a tie in regulation, the game went into overtime with both teams tied at 30. ![]() I was at a summer country club watching the Jets-49ers game at the snack bar on, from what I can remember, the smallest TV in the history of the world (approximate figure), surrounded by Jets fans over the age of 60. ![]() Jump to September 6 th, 1998 Week 1 of the 1998 NFL season. With a great start to his 49ers career, Hearst was poised for a breakout season the following season. In his first year with the Niners, Hearst ran for 1,019 yards and 4 TDs, while averaging 4.4 yards per carry in 13 games all this before injuring his collarbone in Week 13. Hearst spent his first four seasons toiling in Arizona (’93-’95) and Cincinnati (’96), dismal franchises at the time. Then in 1997, after being released by the Bengals due to injury concerns, Hearst joined the 49ers, who had been in search of a solid running back since Ricky Watters bolted for the Eagles after the 1994 season. And for my 10-year old self, that was very important.īy the way, I sincerely hope my office IT department doesn’t closely audit internet activity I’d rather not have this conversation anytime soon (or ever): “Seems yesterday you spent almost 2 hours googling ‘Garrison Hearst nasal strip’, ‘Weird NFL facemasks’, ‘Steve Weatherford sixpack’ and ‘Cee-Lo Green without sunglasses ’, while listening to Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’ on repeat the entire time… Can you explain that?” 2 Before even watching him play, I already thought he looked really cool. 1 Another thing about Hearst that still intrigues me he was one of the last running backs I can remember that donned a nasal strip. Hearst sported the classic “ Deion” face mask, which should be the only face mask allowed for running backs. Some things resonate more than others, especially when you’re a kid. With that being said, let’s take a trip back 15 years to the 1998 NFL season and have a little talk about Garrison Hearst my favorite 49er of all time. Here’s where I’d like to put the spotlight back on these guys, and shed some new light on someone many may have forgotten. ![]() ![]() Players that were around for a few years, regardless of how dominant or impressive they were, rarely find themselves being mentioned once they disappear from the scope of the spotlight. In the lexicon of professional football, players are so often forgotten amid conversations of legends, current stars, classic rivalries and, as of right now, Tim Tebow. ![]()
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