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Former 49ers linebacker Craig Puki dies at 66

© David Boss-USA TODAY Sports

Former 49ers linebacker Craig Puki has died at age 66, according to the team.

In a tweet, the 49ers said the following:

“The 49ers mourn the passing of former LB Craig Puki. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.”

San Francisco drafted Puki with its third-round pick in 1980 from the University of Tennessee where he played running back his freshman year before becoming a full-time linebacker.

He played three NFL seasons, the first two of which were with the 49ers. He was part of the famous Super Bowl-winning 1981 team which secured the first of five Lombardi trophies for the franchise.

He played in all 16 games of that 1981 season, including all three playoff games.

 

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