Dave Wilcox, a Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker with the 49ers from 1964-74, passed away Wednesday at age 80.
Wilcox, known as “The Intimidator,” was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2000 alongside Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, Howie Long and Dan Rooney.
“What a year to be selected to join these past greats,” Wilcox said in his enshrinement speech. “It is indeed an honor to stand up here in front of the greatest football players of all time and being included in that group. If you think about it, of all the people that have played this game, from Little League to junior high, college, pro, and you select a few for enshrinement, this is truly amazing.”
Wilcox is survived by his Merle, and sons Josh and Justin, the latter of whom is entering his seventh season as Cal’s football coach.
“While Dave Wilcox was nicknamed ‘The Intimidator’ for his aggressive style of play, he was a kind, humble and gracious man in all other aspects of life,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement announcing Wilcox’s passing. “He transformed the outside linebacker position – one of the many feats that earned him a forever home in Canton.”
The Pro Football Hall of Fame lowered its flag to half-staff in Wilcox’s honor.
Wilcox was a seven-time Pro Bowler, and he reflected on his first selection (in 1967) during his Hall of Fame address: “I remember standing on the field by Deacon Jones or Butkus or some of those guys and just being in awe of all of the talent on the field. And I said, ‘Dave, how did you ever get here from Vale, Ore.?’ What a great feeling that was.”
The Oregon native indeed went from Vale High School to a collegiate career at Boise Junior College (now Boise State) before transferring to the University of Oregon, which inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 1993.
Selected by the Houston Oilers in the American Football League, the 49ers swooped in two days later to draft him in the third round and launch his NFL career.
Wilcox (6-foot-3, 241 pounds) missed only one game due to injury. His 153 games are tied with Keena Turner for second-most by a 49ers linebacker, behind Matt Hazeltine (176).
“The heart and soul of the first NFC West 49er champions,” former 49ers’ teammate Mike Giddings said in presenting Wilcox at his 2000 Hall of Fame enshrinement.
The 49ers first won the NFC West in 1970, and, three years later, Wilcox wracked up 104 tackles, four forced fumbles and 13 tackles for loss in his penultimate NFL season. He was All-NFL five times, had 14 interceptions in his career, and he won the 49ers’ prestigious Len Eshmont Award in 1967.
“Football has given me a chance to meet people from all parts of the world,” Wilcox noted in his induction speech. “Traveled to all parts and had lots of memories. I did not have championship rings, but I have memories. … There are only so few that make it to this select group (of Pro Football Hall of Fame members). Amazing, isn’t it?”