When you think of the legendary San Francisco 49ers, names like Montana, Rice, or Lott probably jump to your head first. But if you were around Kezar Stadium in the 1950s, there was one man who literally stood above them all. Bob St Clair 49ers icon was a massive human being, standing 6 foot 9 at a time when the average NFL lineman looked like a middle manager.
He didn't just play football; he was a force of nature. Honestly, the stories about him sound like tall tales. He was nicknamed "The Geek," a moniker he earned because he had a habit of eating raw meat—liver, steaks, you name it—right in front of his teammates. Some say he did it to intimidate rookies. Others, like Bob himself, claimed he just liked the taste. He’d tell waiters to "just walk the cow past the fire" and bring it to him.
It sounds crazy. But it worked.
The Giant Who Never Left Kezar
St. Clair is arguably the most "San Francisco" player to ever wear the red and gold. Most players move around, but Bob was different. He played his high school ball at San Francisco Polytechnic, right across the street from Kezar Stadium. Then he played for the University of San Francisco (USF) on that legendary 1951 team—the one that went undefeated and then refused a bowl game because the organizers wouldn't let their Black teammates play.
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When the 49ers drafted him in 1953, he just stayed in the same stadium.
Basically, he played nearly his entire life on the same patch of grass. In 2001, the city finally acknowledged this by naming the field at Kezar Stadium after him. It’s rare to see that kind of local loyalty anymore.
Dominance Beyond the Raw Steak
If you look at the stats, Bob St Clair 49ers tenure wasn't just about being big and weird. He was an elite athlete. He was named to five Pro Bowls and earned nine All-Pro selections (first or second team). Imagine trying to get around a 6'9" tackle who moved like a much smaller man.
He was a nightmare on special teams, too.
In 1956 alone, St. Clair blocked 10 field goals. That is a staggering number. To put it in perspective, many modern NFL teams don't block 10 kicks in a decade. His height allowed him to reach over lines in a way defenders just weren't prepared for back then. He was the anchor of the "Million Dollar Backfield," protecting guys like Y.A. Tittle and Joe Perry. Without St. Clair, that offense doesn't become the legend it is today.
The Mayor of Daly City
Here’s the thing most people forget: Bob was a politician while he was still playing. He was elected to the Daly City Council in 1958. By 1961, he was the Mayor of Daly City.
Can you imagine a modern NFL star serving as a mayor during the season?
The 49ers actually had to arrange his travel so he could fly back from road games to attend council meetings. He was a guy who could knock a defensive end into the third row on Sunday and then gavel a zoning meeting to order on Tuesday. He eventually served as a San Mateo County Supervisor for years after his playing days ended. He wasn't just a "dumb jock"—he was incredibly sharp and deeply involved in his community.
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Why the "Geek" Nickname Stuck
Teammates like Hugh McElhenny would watch in horror as St. Clair unpacked raw liver for a snack. The nickname "The Geek" came from the movie Nightmare Alley, which featured a carnival performer who would bite the heads off chickens. St. Clair didn't go that far, but he leaned into the image.
He’d smile at rookies with blood-stained teeth.
It was psychological warfare. He wanted opponents to think he was slightly unhinged. If you’re a defensive end and you know the guy across from you just ate a pound of raw hamburger for lunch, you might hesitate for a split second when the ball snaps. That’s all a Hall of Famer needs to win the rep.
A Legacy of Grit
St. Clair’s career ended in 1964 due to Achilles injuries, but his impact never faded. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He was also the guy who famously convinced the Hall to change the name of the "Old-Timers" category to the "Seniors" category because he didn't like the implication that they were washed up.
He was a man of principles. Whether it was standing with his USF teammates in '51 or fighting for the dignity of retired players in '90, Bob didn't back down.
If you want to understand the history of the Bob St Clair 49ers era, start by looking at his retired number 79 hanging at Levi’s Stadium. It represents a time when the game was grittier, the personalities were larger, and the steaks were definitely rarer.
To truly appreciate St. Clair’s impact, you should:
- Visit the Bob St. Clair Field at Kezar Stadium to see where it all happened.
- Watch old clips of the "Million Dollar Backfield" to see how his blocking opened up the field.
- Read more about the 1951 USF Dons, the "Undefeated, Untied, and Uninvited" team that changed football culture.