By Andrew Powell
Copyright dailycaller
Jim Fahnhorst, a winner of three Super Bowl championships with the San Francisco 49ers, passed away Wednesday. He was 66 years old.
Playing a total of 82 games for the 49ers as a linebacker, Fahnhorst was a key player for the team’s dynasty in the 1980s.
A native to Minnesota, he was a member of the Super Bowl XIX, XXIII and XXIV rosters for San Francisco. (RELATED: Bills Honor Charlie Kirk Prior To ‘Thursday Night Football’ Game Against Dolphins)
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former linebacker Jim Fahnhorst,” said the 49ers in an official statement. “Our thoughts are with his family.”
At the time of writing, no cause of death has been given.
Fahnhorst was selected in the fourth round of the 1982 draft, playing college football for the University of Minnesota and earning 1981 First-Team All-Big Ten honors. He suited up for two campaigns in the USFL prior to becoming a Niner in free agency.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of former linebacker Jim Fahnhorst. Our thoughts are with his family ❤️💛 📰: https://t.co/X4bIhpdrF4 pic.twitter.com/E3p88VfZLc — San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 18, 2025
He took the opportunity to play with his older brother, Keith, who was a 49er as an offensive lineman.
“It was a no-brainer,” said Jim to the official team website back in 2018. “We ran into each other a few times at practice, but we had an understanding that we weren’t going to try and make each other look bad. It was kind of uncomfortable.”
All seven of Fahnhorst’s seasons in the National Football League were spent in San Francisco, where he made 38 starts and tallied 232 total tackles, seven interceptions and one sack.
