Fansided
Fansided

NFL Greatest Unsung Heroes In History of All 32 Teams

By Erik Lambert

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
28 of 32
Next
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Detail view of a San Francisco 49ers helmet during the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 23-20. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Detail view of a San Francisco 49ers helmet during the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 23-20. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

San Francisco 49ers

. LB. San Francisco 49ers. Dan Bunz . 28. player. 42

The San Francisco 49ers dynasty was built around the triumvirate of Bill Walsh, Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott. All three Hall of Famers. All three in the conversation for greatest ever at their respective positions. Nothing that team accomplished in the 1980s happens without them. Here’s the thing though. They’re still just three men.

Championships aren’t won without a total team effort. Other guys have to step up. Maybe it’s for a season. Maybe it’s for a game. Even for a play. Dan Bunz certainly checks that last box. To be fair the linebacker was a quality player for a number of years in San Francisco. Never a star but solid an dependable. What he lacked in pure athleticism he made up in awareness and instinct.

Both would lead the way to the most pivotal moment of Super Bowl XVI. The 49ers held a 20-7 lead but the Cincinnati Bengals had driven to the 1-yard line late in the first half. On 3rd and 1 they threw a swing pass to Charles Alexander in the flat. Only one man was out there to stop it, and that was Bunz who flattened Alexander right as he caught the ball for no gain.

San Francisco stuffed the Bengals again on 4th down for a goal line stand, giving them the momentum to finish the game and claim their first championship.

Home/Power Rankings