Right tackle Keith Fahnhorst, part of the dominant line of the 80s, passed away at 66. He died of complications stemming from multiple sclerosis and kidney issues. This comes eight days after the passing of Dwight Clark. Sad days indeed. He was part of an offensive line that was built by 3 different GMs and coalesced under Bill Walsh and Bobb McKittrick’s tutelage. His 14 year career spanned the dark days of the early 70s (he was drafted 1974 out of Minnesota), and ended with a neck injury suffered during the 1987 season.
He won 2 Super Bowls, and went to one pro bowl in 1984. Super Bowl XIX. That line of Fahnhorst, RG Randy Cross C Fred Quillan LG John Ayers and LT Dan Audick did a great job of protecting Joe Montana, and the unit was one of the best in the league for many years.
Condolences to Keith’s family and friends.
Fahnhorst clearing a path for Roger Craig
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
chuck- nice post. Keith was part of one the best Olines of their time. I remember the opposing teams always accused us of chop blocking and said we were dirty. Whatever, they protected Montana pretty well. RIP Keith.
Tough to lose Keith&Dwight so close together!
Fasnhorst was on some terrible 49ers teams to start his career, luckily for him Bill Walsh took over coaching and he reaped the benefits of success after that!
RIP Keith I know Football ended up ravishing your body like Dwight too, “as both of you laid it on the line every Sunday”
Really sorry to hear of Keith’s passing, another tragedy so soon after DC left us. Fahnhorst was a fine football player, very much underrated, imo, and another of the foundational guys who saw the end of the lean years and the first part of the dynasty. He was a part of some of the greatest moments in 49ers history and a good dude. Condolences to his family.
RIP big guy.
A lot of these videos are pretty much fluff at this point, but this one is pretty good. I liked seeing Shanny wearing an 87 jersey to honor Dwight Clark. McKinnon looks explosive as hell, even in this OTA atmosphere.
GO 49ERS!
That tremendous OL of Audick, Ayers, Quillan, Cross and Fahnhorst is arguably the most underrated in league history. Cross and Ayers were outstanding pulling guards, a pair that really gave the Cowboys all kinds of problems, for instance, and made a cadre of otherwise ordinary RB’s look pretty damn good in the early years of the dynasty. Great group that played as one cohesive unit as, coached by one of the great offensive line coaches of all time, the outstanding Bob McKittrick, another guy who didn’t garner near enough credit.
Funny that the Niners are going back to smaller faster linemen a la the McKittrick days. Mobile linemen give you more options and hopefully quicker plays getting the ball out of Jimmy G’s hands.
Yeah, getting results similar to what McKittrick got would mean we’re pretty good.
New thread is up