Pro Football Weekly's 1969 Photo of the Year taken from Week 9 of the 1968 season, when Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers suffered a devastating knee injury on a tackle by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Kermit Alexander. Despite the injury Sayers had already rushed for 856 yards and earned All-Pro honors that season. The "Kansas Comet" would return to lead the NFL in rushing the following 1969 season with 1,032 yards.
Kermit Alexander was a solid defensive back for San Francisco during the 1960s decade. Played 7 seasons for the 49ers starting 90 games. Here he puts the drop on Colts receiver Raymond Berry.
49er Kermit Alexander is too late to stop Bears runner Gale Sayers as he scores his second of 6 touchdowns he had against in the 1965 game between the Bears and the 49ers.
Special Teams action between the Colts & 49ers - San Francisco return man Kermit Alexander is stopped by the Colts Jackie Burkett. In 1965 Alexander led the NFL in kick returns with 32 returns and 741 yards. He also had a league leading 8 fumble recoveries.
1965 Rookie of the Year Gale Sayers flies over 49er linebacker Dave Wilcox (#64) to score his 5th of 6 touchdowns he made against San Francisco on that day. An absolutely monumental effort from Sayers he scored on an 80-yard catch-and-run, a 21-yard run, a 7-yard run, a 50-yard run, the 1-yard plunge here and on an 85-yard punt return. What's remarkable is, counting carries, punt returns and receptions, he only had 16 touches the with a grand total of 336 yards. That's a 21.0 yards-per-touch average.
49ers cornerback Kermit Alexander (#39) knocks away a pass intended for Boyd Dowler (#86) in 1966. That year Alexander scored 2 touchdowns - bot against the Bears in the same game. A 44-yard punt return TD and a 14-yard fumble recovered for a score.
A mixed-media portrait of the NFL veteran. Thanks to Jim Fitzpatrick of Jim Fitzpatrick Artwork.
A former 1st round draft pick from UCLA he spent 2 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams
After 7 years with the 49ers he spent 1970 and 1971 with the Rams where he continued his solid play getting 7 picks and scoring 2 touchdowns on interception returns.
Elbert Kimbrough (#45) and Kermit Alexander (#39) on the San Francisco 49ers sideline
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