The Three Greatest Players in San Francisco 49ers History

Internist and geriatrician Gregory Tapson, MD, enjoys following professional sports in his free time. A resident of Carmel, California, Gregory Tapson, MD, particularly enjoys cheering on Bay Area teams, including the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers have won five Super Bowls and seen a number of outstanding players wear the team's uniform over the franchise’s storied history. According to experts, the very best of these athletes are:

3. Ronnie Lott

Making four Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams during his 10 seasons roaming the secondary in San Francisco, Lott developed a reputation as a feared hitter and one of the greatest defensive players of all time.

2. Joe Montana

This two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP possessed all the abilities a football team could want in a quarterback. Perhaps chief among his talents was the knack for strong clutch play, a trait that earned him the nickname Joe Cool.

1. Jerry Rice

The greatest 49er in history is also considered by some to be the greatest NFL player ever. Lining up as a wide receiver for San Francisco from 1985 to 2000, Rice compiled records that still stand today.

AAFP Lobbies to Protect Patients from Surprise Medical Bills

For the past 22 years, Dr. Gregory Tapson has been operating a private practice in Carmel, California, where he provides around-the-clock primary care. Supplementing this role, Dr. Gregory Tapson holds membership with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

In February, AAFP, along with more than 100 national and state medical organizations, signed a letter in support of protecting Americans against unexpected medical expenses. The letter was sent to Representatives Kevin Brady and Richard Neal, who serve on the House Committee on Ways and Means.

The issue of surprise medical expenses has been well-documented in recent years, with the New York Times citing examples in both Colorado and New York wherein courts have had to step in to mediate cases concerning excessive medical bills from out-of-network providers. Moreover, a Kaiser Foundation poll in 2018 found that 39 percent of insured adults between the ages of 18 and 64 received surprise medical bills after believing expenses were covered.

In the letter, AAFP and its cosignatories urged Congress to place limits on patient responsibility and increase insurer accountability. The letter also asked for cost transparency among health care providers.