Charlie Krueger
1958 1st-Round draft pick Charlie Krueger of Texas A&M was a durable and respected defensive tackle who spent his entire 15-year NFL career (1958–1973) with the San Francisco 49ers. A two-time All-American at Texas A&M under Bear Bryant, Krueger was selected eighth overall in the 1958 NFL Draft and became a cornerstone of the 49ers’ defense for more than a decade. Known for his toughness and consistency, he appeared in 198 games, earned two Pro Bowl selections, and was honored with multiple All-Pro nods.
Charlie Krueger was a defensive tackle who played his entire 16-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers from 1958 to 1973. Born on January 16, 1937, in Caldwell, Texas, Krueger played college football at Texas A&M under legendary coach Bear Bryant, where he earned All-American honors in 1956 and 1957. He was selected by the 49ers in the first round (eighth overall) of the 1958 NFL Draft.
Krueger quickly became a cornerstone of the 49ers’ defensive line, known for his durability and consistency. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing around 260 pounds, he was considered one of the league’s toughest linemen during an era when players often played through injuries. Over his career, he appeared in 198 games, one of the highest totals for a defensive lineman at the time.
He earned Pro Bowl honors twice (1960 and 1964) and was named Second-Team All-Pro on multiple occasions. Krueger’s contributions helped anchor the 49ers’ defense through several coaching changes and team rebuilds during the 1960s and early 1970s. His leadership and steady play earned him immense respect within the organization. After retiring in 1973, Krueger’s No. 70 was retired by the 49ers, and he was inducted into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame. Despite suffering long-term injuries from his playing days, he remained a respected figure in team history. Charlie Krueger passed away on February 5, 2021, at the age of 84.
Image Gallery of Charlie Krueger, Defensive Lineman 1958-1973
Charlie Krueger Football Trading Cards
Charlie Krueger All Time Career Statistics
| Season | Age | Team | Pos | # | Games | Starts | Int | Fumble | Yards | FRTD | Sacks | Sfty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | 22 | SFO | RDE | 70 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1♦ |
| 1960* | 23 | SFO | RDE | 70 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.5 | 1♦ |
| 1961 | 24 | SFO | RDE | 70 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8.5 | 1♦ |
| 1962 | 25 | SFO | RDT | 70 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 0 |
| 1963 | 26 | SFO | LDT | 70 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3.5 | 0 |
| 1964* | 27 | SFO | LDT | 70 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.0 | 0 |
| 1965 | 28 | SFO | LDT | 70 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1♦ | 7.5 | 0 |
| 1966 | 29 | SFO | LDT | 70 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4.5 | 0 |
| 1967 | 30 | SFO | LDT | 70 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.5 | 0 |
| 1968 | 31 | SFO | LDT | 70 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 5.5 | 0 |
| 1969 | 32 | SFO | LDT | 70 | 14 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.5 | 0 |
| 1970 | 33 | SFO | LDT | 70 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.5 | 0 |
| 1971 | 34 | SFO | LDT | 70 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 |
| 1972 | 35 | SFO | LDT | 70 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 |
| 1973 | 36 | SFO | LDT | 70 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.5 | 0 |
| 15 Year NFL Career | 193 | 1 | 7 | 28 | 1 | 54.0 | 3 | |||||
| Season | Age | Team | Pos | Games | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 33 | SFO | LDT | 2 | 0.5 |
| 1971 | 34 | SFO | LDT | 2 | 1.0 |
| 1972 | 35 | SFO | LDT | 1 | 0.5 |
| Post Season Totals | Â | 5 | 2.0 | ||
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
- * – NFL Pro Bowl Selection
- ♦ – Led the League
