Throwback: Remembering the 2001 49ers vs. Eagles Goal-Line Stand

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Derek Smith intercepts the ball in the endzone in 4th.

Derek Smith intercepts the ball in the end-zone.

One of the greatest 49er games I ever attended at the legendary Candlestick Park (At the time 3Com Park…) was back in 2001 when the 49ers faced the Philadelphia Eagles and a young Donovan McNabb. In this game was one of the greatest defensive goal line stands ever in the NFL.

The stand was an amazing 6 consecutive stops inside the 2 yard line early in the fourth quarter. What was even more amazing about this stand was the fact that the Niners were penalized on the 4th stop (4th Down) which resulted in a fresh set of downs for the Eagles at the 1 yard line.

Here is a recap of how this famous stand went down via SFGate and ESPN:

“The game hinged on the goal-line stand, one that evoked memories of the stand the 49ers made against Cincinnati in Super Bowl XVI in 1982 on their way to the franchise’s first world title.

Related: San Francisco 49ers: The Top 10 Greatest Games in Candlestick Park History

On the stand’s second play, the Eagles had a 2nd-and-goal at the 49ers’ 1. A Duce Staley run cost them a yard and then a McNabb pass to James Thrash got back that yard.

On 4th-and-goal from the 1, McNabb rolled right and peered into the end zone at a maze of red and gold. He was forced out of bounds at the 1. The crowd erupted in bedlam, not noticing the yellow flag hurled at the ankles of the 49ers’ defenders in the end zone. (I remember being pissed at this point..)

Seconds later, referee Tony Corrente charged safety Lance Schulters with defensive holding. The crowd rose to its feet (it was loud!) as Bryant Young, Reggie McGrew, Dana Stubblefield and Andre Carter stood over the football, waiting for the Eagles’ offense.

McGrew and rookie linebacker Jamie Winborn stopped Staley for no gain on consecutive plays. Then, McNabb threw an ill-advised pass into the center of the end zone. Smith clutched the ball to his chest and hit the ground for a touchback.”

It was truly an incredible sequence and game to witness and the energy from the crowd really played a vital part in helping the defense make the stops. Looking forward to another exciting and final season at the Stick for the 49ers.

Some of my favorite sports quotes

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In no particular order..

“Winners never quit, quitters never win.” – My Pops

“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.” – John Wooden (Arguably the greatest coach ever. In any sport. Period.)

Knowledge:

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – MJ (The GOAT)

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi

“It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” – Yogi Berra