Former San Francisco 49ers star Jim Fahnhorst has died aged 66.
The 49ers confirmed that the three-time Super Bowl winner had passed away on Wednesday night as they revealed they were ‘deeply saddened by the passing.’
The former linebacker spent seven seasons in San Francisco and, during that time, made 82 appearances, 232 tackles, seven interceptions and one sack.
Fahnhorst was also known for his formidable partnership with older brother Keith, who an offensive linebacker with the 49ers for 14 seasons.
Keith died in 2018 and was also 66 at the time. The brothers attended the University of Minnesota and both represented the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Younger brother Jim was drafted in the fourth round by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1982 NFL Draft before signing with the 49ers as a free agent two years later.
Back in 2018, Farnhorst told the 49ers website that it was a ‘no-brainer’ to join the team.
‘It was more surreal than anything,’ Fahnhorst said. ‘When Bill Walsh called the team together after one practice I remember looking around at all the talent on the team.
‘I remember thinking, ‘What the hell am I doing here?’ It was just a great feeling at the time.’
He would go on to be crowned a three-time Super Bowl champion with the 49ers after their successes in 1984, 1988 and 1989.
Tributes for the former 49ers star have since flooded onto social media.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers wrote: ‘Our entire team sends its condolences to the entire Fahnhorst family during this time’.
Meanwhile, a fan wrote: ‘RIP JF he was a good quality player during the glory days’.
The 49ers return to the field on Sunday afternoon when they take on the Arizona Cardinals, where a tribute to Farnhorst will likely take place.
Looking ahead to that game, the 49ers could be handed a significant boost with the potential return of Brock Purdy – two weeks after suffering shoulder and toe injuries.
Purdy was expected to miss a few weeks with his ailments. However, comments from 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has changed the trajectory for the franchise signal caller.
The Mr. Irrelevant from the 2022 NFL Draft was limited at practice on Wednesday, with Shanahan saying he ‘has a chance’ to play against the Arizona Cardinals.
Should Purdy not be able to go, it would likely be Mac Jones stepping in to be the start again.
