NaVorro Bowman’s retirement Tuesday signaled the official end of one of the most uniquely special careers in 49ers history.
There was perhaps no player better suited than Bowman to step into a role alongside all-time great Patrick Willis, and his rapid ascent from third-round pick to perennial All-Pro is the single-most powerful testament to the excellence he exuded on the field.
Bowman was a distinctly talented linebacker who’s lack of size in 2010 meant his draft stock had a ceiling it wouldn’t have in a modern NFL. A 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker who can get downhill against the run, rush the passer and play coverage would certainly get some Round-1 buzz in a more contemporary draft, and it’s hard to imagine that off-field concerns and a minor injury history would’ve pushed him all the way to the No. 91 overall pick where the 49ers scooped him up.
San Francisco quickly made use of all of Bowman’s talents, utilizing him in a way that allowed him to shine despite playing against a tackling machine in Willis. The two complemented each other perfectly, and Bowman helped dispel some stigmas around undersized linebackers.
He was very good in coverage, an effective pass rusher, and a stellar run defender who landed behind only Willis in Pro Football Focus’ overall grades for linebackers between 2011 and 2013. And when Willis began to age and his athleticism started to desert him, Bowman was able to slide seamlessly into a role that otherwise would’ve left a gaping hole in the heart of San Francisco’s defense.
Two plays in Bowman’s career emphasize his importance to the 49ers’ championship-caliber defense between 2011 and 2013 and help cement his status as one of the best linebackers to ever put on a 49ers uniform.
The first came in the 2013 NFC Championship Game in Atlanta. A sensational comeback by Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore and the 49ers’ offense overshadows some of the phenomenal defense played down the stretch. It was Bowman who sent San Francisco to the Super Bowl though.
With the Falcons facing a fourth-and-4 from their own 10, they split receiver Roddy White into the slot where he was matched up against the 49ers’ linebacker. White, who had seven catches for 100 yards in the game, ran up to Bowman just beyond the first-down marker, expecting to break inside for an easy first down. Bowman instead attached himself to the receiver’s hip and stuck his left arm in front of the pass to knock the ball away. Atlanta got the ball back one more time but never got close to the end zone.
While the win was an all-around team effort, Bowman’s outstanding play on fourth down all but sealed the victory and sent the 49ers to the Super Bowl for the sixth time in franchise history.
There’s perhaps no better illustration of Bowman’s immense talent than his pick 6 in the final game at Candlestick Park, also against Atlanta.
The Falcons scored with 2:09 left to cut a 10-point 49ers’ lead to 27-24. Their onside kick slid right to Bowman who somehow let the ball skip by him – an inconceivable miscue from a seemingly flawless player.
Instead of laying down as the Falcons marched deep into 49ers territory, Bowman almost singlehandedly sealed the game for San Francisco.
He started the play as a pass rusher, but was stymied at the line. The heady linebacker then saw the pass was going to the left side, so he shed his block and sprinted that way, arriving just as cornerback Tramaine Brock wrestled the ball away from receiver Harry Douglas. The ball hung in the air just long enough for Bowman to corral it with one hand and go streaking down the sideline.
His dive into the end zone sent the crowd into a frenzy, sent the 49ers to the playoffs, and sent historical Candlestick Park out with one final signature moment.
Bowman’s career hit a roadblock during the 2014 NFC Championship Game when he tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee during a play at the goal line. Perhaps the most remarkable part of the play was that he was hurt while taking the ball away from wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and holding onto it despite his knee being gruesomely twisted in an awkward direction.
It would’ve been understandable if Bowman was never the same player upon returning two seasons later. Instead, he led the league in tackles while earning his fourth All-Pro selection.
From there his decline was rapid. A torn Achilles knocked Bowman out after just four games in 2016, and he never was the same after it. His athleticism declined tremendously in 2017, and he saw his role diminish significantly over five games with San Francisco before being released.
His exit from San Francisco wasn’t smooth. He was upset with his lack of playing time on a rebuilding defense. The 49ers released him instead of letting him languish on their bench. Bowman was picked up by the Raiders and finished the season in silver and black. His Week 12 interception against Denver was Oakland’s first of the season.
Bowman didn’t play in 2018, and his quick forgiveness of the 49ers despite their tumultuous parting just two seasons ago speaks volumes about the character that made Bowman such a beloved teammate and leader of a tremendous 49ers defense. He wanted to officially retire as a 49er, but the team’s full 90-man roster didn’t allow them to issue a symbolic one-day contract.
The one-day contract may not formally make Bowman a 49er upon his retirement, but his contributions to the team will earn him an eternal place in 49ers history. He managed to shine on a defense full of some of the league’s brightest stars, and he stepped up in key moments to put exclamation points on the team’s biggest successes over the last decade.
Bowman may never make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and his No. 53 may never be retired by the team. Those who watched him will always have a spot carved out for Bowman among the 49ers’ all-time greats.
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