
RC Owens does the "Alley Oop" against Jim David and the Detroit Lions in the 1957 Western Conference Title Tie-Breaker game. Both the Lions and the 49ers finished 1957 with 8-4 records. The 49ers went up 24-7 at half-time but the Lions rallied big in the second half to finish the game on top 31-27.

The Alley Oop in Action! 49er receiver RC Owns out-leaps two Detroit Lions defenders in late 1950s NFL gameplay. We think #25 is Lion veteran Jim David.

Still ranks #30 on the 49ers All Time Career Receiving List with 176 catches and #20 in Career Receiving Yards with 2926.

The 49ers legend does the "Alley Oop" between 2 defenders in 1957.

Running behind the blocking of wide receiver RC Owens in 1960. The Bears Joe Fortunato (#31) closes in.


A former basketball player at the College of Idaho he was offered a contract with the Minnesota Lakers but chose to play football with the 49ers instead.

Raleigh Climon Owens, or just RC. Finished his 8 year NFL career with 206 catches, 3285 yards averaging 15.9 yards-per-catch and 20 touchdowns.

"Ally Oop" receiver RC Ownes makes one of his patented leaping grabs over defender's heads.

After a very successful 5 seasons with the 49ers he joined the Baltimore Colts after he became a free agent in 1962.

A 14th round pick from the College of Idaho (where he still holds the All-Time career rebounding record) by San Francisco in 1956. He is credited as the receiver who originated the "Alley Oop" pass. 49er QB YA Tittle would heave a pass over the heads of defenders and Owens would simply out-leap them for the catch. This he used to great effect as he was named the team's Rookie of the Year. He was also the first 49er to gain a thousand yards receiving in 1961 - he had 1032 yards on 55 catches. Was named to the All-Pro Team in 1960.

A 14th round pick from the College of Idaho (where he still holds the All-Time career rebounding record) by San Francisco in 1956. He is credited as the receiver who originated the "Alley Oop" pass. 49er QB YA Tittle would heave a pass over the heads of defenders and Owens would simply out-leap them for the catch. This he used to great effect as he was named the team's Rookie of the Year. He was also the first 49er to gain a thousand yards receiving in 1961 - he had 1032 yards on 55 catches. Was named to the All-Pro Team in 1960.

A 14th round pick from the College of Idaho (where he still holds the All-Time career rebounding record) by San Francisco in 1956. He is credited as the receiver who originated the "Alley Oop" pass. 49er QB YA Tittle would heave a pass over the heads of defenders and Owens would simply out-leap them for the catch. This he used to great effect as he was named the team's Rookie of the Year. He was also the first 49er to gain a thousand yards receiving in 1961 - he had 1032 yards on 55 catches. Was named to the All-Pro Team in 1960.

A 14th round pick from the College of Idaho (where he still holds the All-Time career rebounding record) by San Francisco in 1956. He is credited as the receiver who originated the "Alley Oop" pass. 49er QB YA Tittle would heave a pass over the heads of defenders and Owens would simply out-leap them for the catch. This he used to great effect as he was named the team's Rookie of the Year. He was also the first 49er to gain a thousand yards receiving in 1961 - he had 1032 yards on 55 catches. Was named to the All-Pro Team in 1960.