FAHNHORST BROTHERS WON FIVE SUPER BOWLS WITH 49ERS
Jan. 24, 2018
Minneapolis will host the Super Bowl on Feb. 4 when the New England Patriots host the Philadelphia Eagles for the right to be called world champion. The Patriots will be seeking their sixth world championship, while the Eagles are looking for their first. In preparation of the big game, we will take a look back in the coming days at some former Gophers who went on to Super Bowl fame.
Before the Patriots became the class of the NFL, there was the San Francisco 49ers, who won five Super Bowls from 1982-1995. Four of those wins - 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1990 - featured a former Minnesota Gopher with the last name Fahnhorst. Brothers Keith and Jim Fahnhorst starred at Minnesota before becoming world champions in San Francisco.
Jim is Minnesota's most decorated Super Bowl champion as he won a ring in 1985, 1989 and 1990 with the 49ers. Keith was a member of San Francisco's championship teams in 1982 and 1985 and along with Jim is one of only five former Gophers to win multiple Super Bowls. The others being Gabe Gillingham, Tony Dungy (won as a player and coach) and Tyrone Carter.
Keith lettered at Minnesota from 1971-73 and was a tight end in Minnesota's veer-t offense. He ended his career with 28 receptions for 392 yards and one touchdown, but made his mark paving the road for Minnesota's running game. The 1973 media guide described Keith thusly, "This giant is a savage blocker, as can be testified to by Gopher running backs who broke numerous school rushing records in 1972." Keith would be named First Team All-Big Ten as an end in 1973.
Keith was drafted by San Francisco in 1974 with the 35th overall pick in the second round. He would play his entire 14-year career in the Bay Area and helped the team to its first Super Bowl title in 1981. Keith started 160 of the 193 games he played in with the 49ers and was named First-Team All-Pro in 1983 and 1985, Second-Team All-Pro in 195 and made the Pro Bowl in 1984. He retired in 1987.
Jim, who is seven years younger than Keith, followed in his brother's football footsteps. Both played high school ball at St. Cloud Technical (same high school where incoming freshman Brevyn Spann-Ford attends) before heading to Minnesota.
Jim lettered at the U in 1978, 1980-81 (missed the 1979 season with an injury) and was named First Team All-Big Ten at linebacker in 1981 after recording 126 tackles, six pass breakups and three fumble recoveries.
Jim was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 1982 draft, but opted to play in the USFL instead in 1983 (Chicago Blitz) and 1984 (Arizona Wranglers).
Jim then signed with San Francisco as a free agent in 1984 and played there until 1990. He started 38 of the 82 games en route to winning three Super Bowls.
You can read more about the Fanhorst brothers in this 49ers.com story from July 2017.
Jan. 24, 2018
Minneapolis will host the Super Bowl on Feb. 4 when the New England Patriots host the Philadelphia Eagles for the right to be called world champion. The Patriots will be seeking their sixth world championship, while the Eagles are looking for their first. In preparation of the big game, we will take a look back in the coming days at some former Gophers who went on to Super Bowl fame.
Before the Patriots became the class of the NFL, there was the San Francisco 49ers, who won five Super Bowls from 1982-1995. Four of those wins - 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1990 - featured a former Minnesota Gopher with the last name Fahnhorst. Brothers Keith and Jim Fahnhorst starred at Minnesota before becoming world champions in San Francisco.
Jim is Minnesota's most decorated Super Bowl champion as he won a ring in 1985, 1989 and 1990 with the 49ers. Keith was a member of San Francisco's championship teams in 1982 and 1985 and along with Jim is one of only five former Gophers to win multiple Super Bowls. The others being Gabe Gillingham, Tony Dungy (won as a player and coach) and Tyrone Carter.
Keith lettered at Minnesota from 1971-73 and was a tight end in Minnesota's veer-t offense. He ended his career with 28 receptions for 392 yards and one touchdown, but made his mark paving the road for Minnesota's running game. The 1973 media guide described Keith thusly, "This giant is a savage blocker, as can be testified to by Gopher running backs who broke numerous school rushing records in 1972." Keith would be named First Team All-Big Ten as an end in 1973.
Keith was drafted by San Francisco in 1974 with the 35th overall pick in the second round. He would play his entire 14-year career in the Bay Area and helped the team to its first Super Bowl title in 1981. Keith started 160 of the 193 games he played in with the 49ers and was named First-Team All-Pro in 1983 and 1985, Second-Team All-Pro in 195 and made the Pro Bowl in 1984. He retired in 1987.
Jim, who is seven years younger than Keith, followed in his brother's football footsteps. Both played high school ball at St. Cloud Technical (same high school where incoming freshman Brevyn Spann-Ford attends) before heading to Minnesota.
Jim lettered at the U in 1978, 1980-81 (missed the 1979 season with an injury) and was named First Team All-Big Ten at linebacker in 1981 after recording 126 tackles, six pass breakups and three fumble recoveries.
Jim was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 1982 draft, but opted to play in the USFL instead in 1983 (Chicago Blitz) and 1984 (Arizona Wranglers).
Jim then signed with San Francisco as a free agent in 1984 and played there until 1990. He started 38 of the 82 games en route to winning three Super Bowls.
You can read more about the Fanhorst brothers in this 49ers.com story from July 2017.
