... they joined the All American Football Conference. The AAFC was dominated by the Cleveland Browns, and the league folded after the 1949 season. The 49ers joined the NFL for the 1950 season, and did not enjoy their first tangible success until 1957. That year saw them invent the "alley-oop" pass, as they tied the Detroit Lions for the divisional crown. They faced the Lions for the rights to go to the NFL Championship, and were leading by twenty points in the third quarter. Detroit would storm back and win, becoming the eventual champions that season. San Francisco featured several Hall Of Fame players during the 1950s. Quarterback Y.A. Tittle, fullback Joe "Jet" Perry, halfback Hugh McElhenny, and fullback John Henry Johnson all starred together ...

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