Faithful Flashbacks #53: Hearst Walks Off the Jets

Faithful Flashbacks revisits Garrison Hearst’s 96-yard overtime touchdown that gave the 49ers a wild win over the Jets.

Jun 24, 2026, 6:00 AM Updated: 10:16 am

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In honor of the San Francisco 49ers celebrating their 80th anniversary, Sactown Sports is kicking off a countdown of the 80 greatest moments in the franchise’s illustrious history in reverse order called “Faithful Flashbacks.”

From Super Bowl-winning plays to overperforming teams that had minimal expectations, there’s plenty to choose from the team with five titles under its belt.

The voting was conducted by a handful of the Sactown Sports’ staffers before results were compiled into a full list that will count down to the 49ers’ 2026 NFL regular season debut against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10th.

Faithful Flashbacks -- San Francisco 49ers 80 Best Moments

Coming in at No. 53 on our ‘Faithful Flashbacks’ countdown of the 80 best moments in franchise history is Garrison Hearst’s walk-off touchdown against the Jets in the 1998 season.

The 49ers entered that year with plenty of familiar names leading the way. Steve Young was at quarterback, throwing to Jerry Rice, and San Francisco had enough talent to be competing with the best of them. Looking to start the season off right with a matchup against the Jets, it was Hearst who stole the show with a memorable moment.

That opener against New York was a high-scoring overtime thriller capped off by one electric play that spanned nearly the entire field.

September 6, 1998: 49ers Garrison Hearst with an incredible 96-yard TD run in overtime to beat the Jets in San Francisco. pic.twitter.com/4EQGHPqcE5

— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) September 6, 2023

Hearst received a handoff and, after fighting through several attempts to bring him down, managed to keep the run going and turned what seemed to be a casual run play into an explosive 96-yard sprint into the endzone.

The touchdown gave the 49ers a 36-30 win, and it’s easy to see why that highlight made its way onto our countdown. Going nearly the full length of the field in overtime, to win the game, is going to catch the attention of the entire NFL.

The run also kick-started what ended up being Hearst’s best statistical season with San Francisco. He earned a Pro Bowl appearance and was another weapon in an already dynamic offense with threats like Young and Rice.

Hearst’s play stands out partly because of its suddenness by turning the beginning of an overtime into a game-winning moment in a blink.

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule

Late July 2026 – NFL Training Camps open
Thursday, September 10th – vs. Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia (Season Opener) – 5:35 pm PT
Sunday, September 20th – vs. Miami Dolphins – 1:25 pm PT
Sunday, September 27th – vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:05 pm PT
Sunday, October 4th – vs. Denver Broncos – 1:25 pm PT