Charlie Krueger, a star defensive tackle for the 49ers more than a half-century ago, died Friday in Clayton of kidney and heart failure. He was 84.
Krueger’s death was confirmed by friend and former Oakland Tribune sports columnist Dave Newhouse and later by the team.
Known for his “Textbook Tackle,” Krueger played for the 49ers from 1959-73 and made two Pro Bowls, in 1960 and ’64. He is one of a dozen 49ers to have his jersey retired and is in the team’s Hall of Fame. Krueger wore No. 70.
“He was a tough, resilient and smart player who looked out for his teammates, both on and off the field,” the 49ers said in a statement. “We extend our condolences and prayers to his wife, Kris, and the entire Krueger family.”
In an obituary provided to the Bay Area News Group by Newhouse, Dave Wilcox, a former 49ers linebacker and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said, “Charlier was the Textbook Tackle because, fundamentally, he was a very sound player who wanted to know everything he had to do on the field. Rams’ players told me they hated to play Charlie because it took two, three guys to block him.
“He had such great leverage, that he was tough to play against, and he was there all day. He wanted to do good, and he was a good teammate. But he also was a prankster. He had something to do with a stripper running through practice one day in Santa Barbara.”
Skip Vanderbundt, a former 49ers linebacker, said in the obituary that Kreuger played mistake-free football and compared going against the defensive lineman in practice to “wrestling with a refrigerator.”
“He was one of the last players to wear a single bar face mask, and he got kicked in the eye against Atlanta,” Vanderbundt said. “He had the eye taped and he didn’t miss a play.”
Kreuger was a two-time All-American at Texas A&M, playing for the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant, and in the early 1980s was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the 49ers in the first round in 1958.
Fifteen years after Kreuger retired from football, he was awarded $2.36 million in damages from the 49ers for their failure to tell him about the severity of his knee injuries.
Krueger is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kristin Adler Krueger. The family says there will be no funeral, citing Krueger’s wishes, but donations can be made in Krueger’s name to Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) and the Salvation Army.
