October 11, 1981 "The Fred Dean Effect" The surprising 49ers slaughter the favored Cowboys at Candlestick, 45-14 — handing Dallas its worst loss in eleven years. Just days prior to the contest, San Francisco had acquired future Hall of Fame defensive end Fred Dean through a trade with the Chargers. Fred had practiced with the Niners only twice prior to playing this game. The 49ers forge a quick 24-0 lead. However, the real story of this game is Dean. San Francisco had a decent 3-2 record entering the day. But after the acquisition of Fred Dean, who had joined forces with a now-healthy Dwaine Board on the D-line — and paired with the 49ers' talented, rookie-laden secondary, the team would go on to win 13 of its next 14 games en route to the franchise's first Super Bowl championship. Dean would ultimately take home the UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year award in 1981, and his play would be a monumental catalyst in the Niners' rise to a dynasty as the "Team of the Decade" of the 1980s. Video includes: • Rare CBS Sports' network feed broadcast footage of:      · Open and pregame with Pat Summerall and John Madden      · Pat and John's "hot-mic" comments during the end of the first quarter network commercial break      · Fred Dean's dominant three-play sequence late in the first half • NFL Films footage featuring hilarious accounts from Randy Cross and Ronnie Lott about the game and about Dean🚬

How NFL Sunday looked 54 years ago today Madden, helmet cars and balloons, Butkus and Bradshaw running amok, sideline hairdos and a fancy tailgate, Csonka cut in half, rainbow throws and hospital balls, tip drills, tough hits, and terrorized quarterbacks October 1, 1972