Freddie Solomon Dead: Former Dolphins, 49ers Receiver Dies At 59

SAN FRANCISCO -- Freddie Solomon, the former Miami Dolphins and 49ers wide receiver who became known as "Fabulous Freddie" and committed himself to community service, has died. He was 59.

The 49ers announced the passing of Solomon, who lived in Florida and had battled cancer over the past year. He played on the first of the franchise's four Super Bowl championship teams in the 1980s during an 11-year NFL career.

"The 49ers lost a member of our family today. We'll miss you, Freddie Solomon," CEO Jed York posted on his Twitter account on Monday.

The Dolphins selected Solomon in the second round of the 1975 draft out of the University of Tampa. He spent his first three NFL seasons with Miami and his final eight in San Francisco, finishing with 371 receptions for 5,846 yards and 48 touchdowns in 371 games.

His 43 TD catches with the Niners are tied for sixth most in team history.

Solomon was born on Jan. 11, 1953, in Sumter, S.C.

Comments

[tqcobb]

02:39 PM on 02/16/2012

R.I.P. Mr. Solomon...Freddie was a helluva QB in college but we all remember the climate of the NFL at that time towards black QBs

[rsttho557949]

09:53 PM on 02/14/2012

He was on the team that started the 49ers dynasty. I just wish that we would have had a WR his equal when we played the Giants in this years NFC championships game. The 49ers would have won their 6th NFL title.

[George Picard]

11:43 AM on 02/15/2012

If your kick returner didnt let a ball bounce of his knee you would have won.

A ball he never should have been near.

Fredie Was a good player, I thought he played for 2 of there super bowl teams however.

[Mr Nightlinger]

06:50 PM on 02/14/2012

If I am not mistaken, he was a QB in college (maybe in high school?)

He was pure excitement when he touched the ball. #86 on the Dolphins in his early days. Awesome. I was a big fan. I wore #86 my first year in pads.

[tqcobb]

02:40 PM on 02/16/2012

yes he was...and a very good one who didn't get a shot to play the position

[Mr Nightlinger]

06:48 PM on 02/14/2012

This obituary is very weak--Freddie Solomon was the NFL's leading punt return man in 1976 with the Dolphins. In the Football Register, when I was a little kid, I remember asking my father to explain the words under his bio: "Goes zero-to-sixty faster than any other compact." The article also fails to mention that he is survived by a son, Freddie Solomon, Jr. I loved this guy, especially when he was a phenom punt return specialist with the Dolphins. He later helped Joe Montana win his first Super Bowl. One of the most exciting open-field players of his time and a class act.

[americancolonyinhell]

06:13 PM on 02/14/2012

Aww. Bye Freddie, from a diehard Niners fan.

[RusStyles]

02:59 PM on 02/14/2012

Unfortunately, the media plays down he positive stories regarding athletes....To get a better flavor for the important contributions Mr Solomon made to society go here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/02/13/SP971N75JP.DTL

Condolences to his family and friends.

[Politidelic]

01:58 PM on 02/14/2012

RIP Freddie! He was one of a kind and truly a great player for the Niners.

[leanforward]

12:59 PM on 02/14/2012

I keep saying this every time - 90% (maybe 95%) of ex NFL players deaths (and there about about 15 a year) are for guys who dont make it to 70. Many not to 60. For those who cry about wishy washy mamby pamby rules in the modern game take note of this. Its way too much to be a coincidence.

[dvglass3]

01:23 PM on 02/14/2012

He died of cancer not football.

[cybolt]

02:21 PM on 02/14/2012

Thanks for the props earlier... and you took the words out of my mouth here.
F/F backatcha

[SmotPoker]

08:27 AM on 02/14/2012

A class act on and off the field. We not only lost an athlete today, we lost a quality human being.

[LSULinebacker64]

08:59 AM on 02/14/2012

A CLASS ACT is the best way to describe how he placed himself in front of everyone...

[frank day]

07:58 AM on 02/14/2012

He was a winner on the field, but more importantly, he was a winner off the field.

[dteg]

02:48 AM on 02/14/2012

These NFL stars are going early. This game may not really be worth it.

[frank day]

07:57 AM on 02/14/2012

cancer

[goarg2002]

02:21 AM on 02/14/2012

Goodby Freddie S...
You'll be always in the hearts of true Niner Fans...

[Politidelic]

01:59 PM on 02/14/2012

I'll be your first fan for this post!

[hopein2012]

12:24 AM on 02/14/2012

RIP Sir. Say hi to my mom and dad in heaven. I remember you playing. Prayers to your family.

[Mister President]

11:48 PM on 02/13/2012

He was the primary receiver in that first super bowl year the Niners had back in the 80s. Dwight Clark is more well known for the catch but Solomon made a lot of great plays and was a big factor for the team.

[Mr Nightlinger]

06:55 AM on 02/15/2012

Before that, he was a thriller as a punt return man for the Miami Dolphins. He was great, great.

[FogBelter]

10:54 PM on 02/13/2012

He was a great one, he surely was.

[hopein2012]

12:24 AM on 02/14/2012

agreed