Reese, a South Carolina resident, went to Clemson with Dwight Clark and Jim Stuckey, and joined the 49ers in 1978, staying in San Francisco through 1981. He went on to the L.A. Raiders for the next two seasons, then the USFL and the Pittsburgh Maulers. When he was interviewed by the 49ers earlier this season, he said: “I also made some great friends with the Niners’ organization. Besides Clark, Stuckey and Solomon, there was also Dwaine Board, Lawrence Pillers, Charle Young, Dwight Hicks, Ronnie Lott, Carlton Williamson, Eric Wright, Keena Turner and so many more. We became a close-knit group of guys. We all respected one another and were all on a mission with one goal in mind … to win. It was amazing … different people from different backgrounds all working together to help each other though the good and bad times especially in the early years.”
Reese added: “There were some real diverse personalities on the team, but none more focused than Jack ‘Hacksaw’ Reynolds. I remember him coming to the pre-game breakfast already dressed in his uniform complete with pads and helmet.”
And, talking about the 1981 NFC title game, Reese said: “I personally feel that I had played a great game against the Cowboys. All I wanted to do was win.”
Here’s a picture of Reese:
