The 49ers cheated during their dynastic run. Then owner Eddie DeBartolo constantly flouted the NFL rules with his financial expenditures. But somehow that felt more charming than devious. How can you fault an owner who breaks the rules by spending TOO much on his team? How many sports teams would love to have that problem.
The 49ers also did plenty of good in the glory years. Then coach Bill Walsh had the authority and the renown to start the minority coaches fellowship program, so minority coaches could bust into the old-boy network controlled mainly by white coaches. Walsh also brought a free-wheeling brand of excitement to the league with his West Coast offense, which made a star out of the artful Joe Montana.