SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Contents Page

4
FROM DARK AGES TO DYNASTY
Today 49ers fans see a powerhouse, but it wasn't always so
by Ron Fimrite

12
TEAM OF THE '80S
The Niners ruled a decade with four Super Bowl wins
by Paul Zimmerman

24
NOTHING SHORT OF PENETRATION
Jerry Rice has proved that he is the finest receiver ever
by Rick Telander

30
BLUEPRINT FOR A CHAMPION
With a fiscal juggling act, Carmen Policy rebuilt the 49ers
by Peter King

36
SWEET SUCCESS
The Niners got back on top with a 13-3 regular season
by Hank Hersch

50
PRIME TIME EXPOSURE
With the arrival of Deion Sanders, the 49ers all got looser
by Peter King

58
BEARING DOWN
San Francisco's first playoff chore was to whip Chicago
by Rick Telander

64
THE GREATEST OF RIVALRIES
The Cowboys and 49ers have been going at it for years
by Austin Murphy

72
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
The 49ers did what they had to: beat Dallas for the NFC title
by Rick Telander

82
49ER PEOPLE
George Seifert, Steve Wallace, Harris Barton, John Taylor

88
FANTASTIC FINISH
In Super Bowl XXIX, the 49ers demolished the Chargers
by Rick Telander

104
ON TOP OF THE WORLD
Steve Young has completed his long, hard climb
Michael Silver

Sports Illustrated

Managing Editor Mark Mulvoy
President Donald M. Elliman Jr.

Sports Illustrated Presents

Editor David Bauer
Art Director F. Darris Perry
Senior Editors Larry Burke, Paul Fichtenbaum, Steve Robinson
Photo Editor Bradley M. Smith
Staff Writer Hank Hersch
Writer-Reporter Kelli Anderson
Copy Chief Nancy Nasworthy
Reporters Lars Anderson, J.B. Morris
Administration Amy Birch
Art Assistant Luis Rivera Grullon

Publishing Director Matt Barr
Newstand Marketing Manager Gloria Lasky Berk
Production Managers Sue Belger, Nancy Mynio, Carol Nelson

Cover Photograph by Walter Iooss Jr.
Contents photograph by John Biever

(c)1995 TIME INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF TIME INC.