3 strangest players we ever saw in a San Francisco 49ers uniform

Running back O.J. Simpson #32 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game November 4, 1979 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. Simpson played for the 49ers from 1978-79. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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Wide receiver Isaac Bruce #88 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Rob Tringali/Sportschrome/Getty Images) /

Strangest San Francisco 49ers of all time: 2. Isaac Bruce

A future Hall of Famer looking for one last moment of glory heads to the San Francisco 49ers to keep cashing checks. Yes, this sounds like Randy Moss’ tenure in the Bay Area, but we’re talking about Isaac Bruce this time.

Bruce actually spent two seasons with the 49ers at the end of his career, looking to win another Super Bowl after winning with the team that tortured the 49ers for years, the St. Louis Rams. In his first season with San Francisco, Bruce had 835 yards and seven touchdowns. That’s clearly not anything to lift noses at. He was pretty decent. After contemplating retirement in the offseason, Bruce decided to finish out his contract with the Niners.

He should have retired. Bruce’s final season saw him catch 21 balls over 10 games for just 264 yards. It was the first time in his career that he scored zero touchdowns in a season. The one thing he did get in his final season was the ability to cross the 15,000-yard mark. Only one other receiver did that.

Bruce was traded to the Rams after the season so he could retire with the team he will always be tied to. His time in San Francisco wasn’t close to the “Greatest Show On Turf,” and it is very strange to look back on now.