Jim Fahnhorst

Sacks	1.0
Interceptions	7
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jim Fahnhorst
No. 55
Position	Linebacker
Personal information
Born	November 8, 1958; St. Cloud, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	September 17, 2025 (aged 66)
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight	230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school	St. Cloud Technical
College	Minnesota
NFL draft	1982: 4th round, 92nd overall pick
Career history
	Minnesota Vikings (1982)*; Chicago Blitz (1983); Arizona Wranglers (1984); San Francisco 49ers (1984–1990);
	* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
	3× Super Bowl champion (XIX, XXIII, XXIV); First-team All-Big Ten (1981);
Career NFL statistics
Sacks
Sacks	1.0
Interceptions	7
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

James John Fahnhorst (November 8, 1958 – September 17, 2025) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1984 through 1990. He was a member of three Super Bowl champions with the 49ers and was a starter in Super Bowl XIX, XXIII, and XXIV. Fahnhorst grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota and graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School. He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors from AP and UPI in 1981.^[1] He is the younger brother of the late former 49ers' tackle Keith Fahnhorst.^[2] Graduating with a BA in psychology, and a minor in Criminology.

Quick facts No. 55, Position ...

Fahnhorst also played two years in the United States Football League (USFL) for coaching legend George Allen in the spring/summer of 1983 and 1984 for the Chicago Blitz and Arizona Wranglers. He was a financial advisor and coached college football at Division III Macalester College and at Wayzata and Maple Grove High Schools in the Minneapolis area.

Fahnhorst died on September 17, 2025, at the age of 66.^[3]

References