The 1953 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 4th season in the National Football League and their 8th overall. They were coming off a 7–5 record in 1952.
The 49ers played consistent football all season long, never losing consecutive games throughout the season en route to a franchise-best 9–3 record. However, the 49ers lost both their games against the Detroit Lions, who finished the season 10–2 to win the Western Conference and earn a spot in the NFL Championship game.
Offensively, San Francisco was led by quarterback Y. A. Tittle, who threw for 2,121 yards and 20 TDs while completing 57.5% of his passes. Running back Joe Perry had another great season, rushing for 1,018 yards along with 10 TDs, while Hugh McElhenny rushed for 503 yards and 3 TDs, and caught 30 passes for 474 yards and 6 TDs. Wide receiver Billy Wilson caught a team-high 51 passes for 840 yards and 10 TDs.
Offseason NFL draft
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue 1 August 15 Fort Ord W 42–7 1–0 Charles C. Hughes Stadium 2 August 23 Cleveland Browns L 7–20 1–1 Kezar Stadium 3 August 30 Washington Redskins L 7–20 1–2 Kezar Stadium 4 September 3 at Los Angeles Rams L 10–35 1–3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 5 September 7 vs. Philadelphia Eagles W 31–28 2–3 Alamo Stadium 6 September 13 Chicago Cardinals T 14–14 2–3–1 Kezar Stadium 7 September 17 at New York Giants L 21–28 2–4–1 Polo Grounds
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 September 27 Philadelphia Eagles W 31–21 1–0 Kezar Stadium 25,000 Recap 2 October 4 Los Angeles Rams W 31–30 2–0 Kezar Stadium 41,446 Recap 3 October 11 at Detroit Lions L 21–24 2–1 Briggs Stadium 56,080 Recap 4 October 18 at Chicago Bears W 35–28 3–1 Wrigley Field 36,909 Recap 5 October 25 Detroit Lions L 10–14 3–2 Kezar Stadium 52,300 Recap 6 November 1 Chicago Bears W 24–14 4–2 Kezar Stadium 26,308 Recap 7 November 8 at Los Angeles Rams W 31–27 5–2 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 85,856 Recap 8 November 15 at Cleveland Browns L 21–23 5–3 Cleveland Stadium 80,698 Recap 9 November 22 at Green Bay Packers W 37–7 6–3 Milwaukee County Stadium 16,378 Recap 10 November 29 at Baltimore Colts W 38–21 7–3 Memorial Stadium 26,005 Recap 11 December 6 Green Bay Packers W 48–14 8–3 Kezar Stadium 31,337 Recap 12 December 13 Baltimore Colts W 45–14 9–3 Kezar Stadium 23,932 Recap Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Standings
Personnel Roster 1953 San Francisco 49ers roster Quarterbacks
P
Running backs CB
Pete Schabarum
Receivers
K Offensive linemen G G T C T G T
Defensive linemen DT DE MG DT DE DE Linebackers MLB MLB/C OLB/MG OLB OLB
Defensive backs CB S CB/RB CB Reserve lists WR (Military) T/DT (Military)
rookies in italics
Pro Bowl San Francisco's players selected for the Pro Bowl:
Player PositionBill Johnson Offensive lineHugh McElhenny Running backArt Michalik LinebackerLeo Nomellini Defensive lineJoe Perry Running backGordie Soltau Wide receiverY. A. Tittle Quarterback
References
External links 1953 49ers on Pro Football Reference SHRP Sports