Fred Dean has passed

Ugh! RIP Fred and F Covid

Oh wow. He died of covid. Holy crap.

I feel like this is going to get worse...

Originally posted by billbird2111:

Dean was our designated pass rush specialist long before such a term was popularized.

Agreed... Bill Parcell started using his prized rookie linebacker Lawrence Taylor as a rover after seeing Fred Dean line up at all position on the LOS (except NT). Then of course Charles Haley came in and filled that role later on.

Sad news. Fred Dean was probably the best pass rusher to ever put on a 49er uniform.

Originally posted by pdizo916:
Oh wow. He died of covid. Holy crap.

I feel like this is going to get worse...

Falcons just reported that 4 players or personnel tested positive. Florida cancelled their game this weekend and coach Saban of Alabama tested positive. Yes it is getting worse and cases are rising again rapidly. It seems like we've been in this forever but there's still a ways to go.

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Originally posted by pdizo916:
Oh wow. He died of covid. Holy crap.

I feel like this is going to get worse...

Falcons just reported that 4 players or personnel tested positive. Florida cancelled their game this weekend and coach Saban of Alabama tested positive. Yes it is getting worse and cases are rising again rapidly. It seems like we've been in this forever but there's still a ways to go.

Imagine if the season gets cancelled and if you're a cleveland Browns fan. Wow...

Just listened to Maiocco talking about Fred and he reminded me of his 49er debut against Dallas. We were sitting there in the stands watching him terrorize Danny White and getting 6 sacks as the Niners destroyed the Cowboys 45-14. The fans starting chanting Dean-fense, Dean-fense. It was when we started to think that this Niners team was really different. He added that pressure that allowed the young DBs to excel and rack up INTs all year. He was listed at 230 labs but he played like he was 260-270. His speed was the big asset but he had surprising power for a guy his size.

Randy Cross with another good Dean story. He said he saw Fred lying on a bench and he asked him what he was doing. Fred answered "Well, I was thinking about lifting weights but I think I'll just lay here until I get over it.'

RIP Mr. Dean.

Originally posted by BSofSF:

Sad news. Fred Dean was probably the best pass rusher to ever put on a 49er uniform.

He's certainly in the conversation with Cedric Hardman and Charles Haley.

RIP to one of the great SB champs and HOFers of the 49ers.

Thanks to the man...Fred Dean...for all the memories, the excitement, the effort, stamina and desire to be the best. And he was. RIP, HOFer 49er.

Originally posted by NickMullensBDN:

Originally posted by billbird2111:
Not only am I upset that Fred Dean passed, I'm even more upset that his name has been tied to a disease that some are using as a political weapon. There are multiple news reports, including one from Joe Davidson, that claim Dean passed from Covid.

No cause of death has been released.

Dean was our designated pass rush specialist long before such a term was popularized. He was one of our former greats and his name will forever be tied to the 1980's dynasty that Bill Walsh built in San Francisco.

Hicks tweeted 6 days ago he was in hospital because of COVID-19

Dwight Hicks is a doctor?

USA Today report got it correct: "No cause of death was given in the Hall of Fame's death announcement."

When all is said and done, Covid may be listed as the offficial cause of death. It's also true that Dean was a heavy smoker and drinker. Sort of like Kenny Stabler. Who also died young. Could that have played a role? Maybe. I don't know. But, as a reporter, I certainly would not write a headline or tweet claiming that Dean died from smoking or drinking, UNLESS that report came from the attending physician.

RIP

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:
Just listened to Maiocco talking about Fred and he reminded me of his 49er debut against Dallas. We were sitting there in the stands watching him terrorize Danny White and getting 6 sacks as the Niners destroyed the Cowboys 45-14. The fans starting chanting Dean-fense, Dean-fense. It was when we started to think that this Niners team was really different. He added that pressure that allowed the young DBs to excel and rack up INTs all year. He was listed at 230 labs but he played like he was 260-270. His speed was the big asset but he had surprising power for a guy his size.