San Francisco 49ers legend Tom Rathman has announced that he is retiring as a coach. The 58-year-old has spent the past three seasons as a running back coach for the Indianapolis Colts.
Rathman was a former NFL player, having been part of the league for 31 seasons. He spent 22 of them with the 49ers as a player and coach. Rathman, who is part of the team’s Hall of Fame, has played eight seasons with San Francisco. He accumulated 4,392 yards in total with 34 touchdowns and was part of two Super Bowl winning teams.
San Francisco released a statement thanking Rathman for his contributions to the organization.
“The 49ers family would like to congratulate Tom Rathman for completing a tremendous 31-year career as a player and coach in the National Football League. For more than two decades as a 49er, he left an indelible mark on our organization, the players he coached and the defenders he fought with. Tom coached his players the same way he played, with a selfless and obstinate dedication to getting the best out of himself and the people around him. Member of the Hall of Fame Edward J. DeBartolo Mr. 49ers, he is the 49er par excellence in every way. We are very happy for Tom, his wife, Holly, and his family, as he moves away from the game for which he has given so much. “
Another legendary Niners back, Frank Gore, also had some kind words for his former position coach.
“I want to congratulate Tom on his career in the Hall of Fame – both as a player and as a coach. Tom was a father figure to me. He came into my life and career at the perfect time. He challenged me every day to be better, on and off the field, and I always wanted to make him proud. Tom helped me to see the football landscape and I would not be so successful in my entire career without him. I love him. SQUEEZE IT! “
When trainer Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017, he also brought in current running back trainer Bobby Turner. Rathman received another role on the coaching staff, but he decided to transfer to the Colts to become the running back trainer.
“It was an honor to represent the NFL for more than 30 years as a coach and player,” Rathman said in a statement. “I was proud to represent and coach some exceptional players and I am grateful for my time in Indianapolis. I will always be a fan of the Colts. “
Rathman was chosen in the third round of the 1986 NFL Draft. His best seasons as Niner were in 1988 and 1989. Here are Rathman’s statistics for those two years:
1988: 427 rushing yards, two rushing TDs, 382 receiving yards.
1989: 305 running yards, a touchdown, 616 receiving yards (career high), a receiving touchdown.
He helped the 49ers win consecutive Super Bowls in those seasons. Rathman had a memorable performance in the 1989 Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, where he finished with 38 running yards and two touchdowns. Rathman also took four passes for 43 yards in that game.
Rathman played his last NFL season with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1994. He then transitioned to coaching and spent 14 seasons with the San Francisco team under five different coaches. Rathman worked with Steve Mariucci, Mike Singletary, Jim Harbaugh, Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly before moving to Indy in 2017.