history to come back to football after suffering avascular necrosis. He had an excellent season as well, rushing for 1,206 yards on a 4.8 average. The 49ers, who were 10-22 in 2 seasons without Hearst, went 12-4 that year. He won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. Hearst remained with the 49ers for two more seasons, but was used less often, the focus of the 49ers' running game shifting to Kevan Barlow. Hearst still ran for 972 yards and 768 yards in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Hearst was released during the 49ers' offseason after the 2003 season. Denver Broncos In March 2004, Hearst signed with the Denver Broncos. He was considered a "third down specialist" who had eight first downs, and 81 yards on 20 attempts with one touchdown (4.1 yards/carry) before being placed on IR with a broken hand, which was the end of his football career. NFL career statistics San Francisco 49ers Franchise Records Most Rushing Yards (4th), Game - 198 Vs Detroit Lions (12/14/98) Most Rushing Attempts (Tied 4th), Game - 31 vs Seahawks (12/1/02) Most Consecutive 100-Yard Rushing Games (2nd), Season - 4 (1998) Most 100-Yard Rushing Games (2nd), Season - 6 (1998) Most Rushing Attempts (Tied 2nd), Season - 310 (1998) Most Rushing Yards In a Season (2nd) - 1,570 (1998) 5th All-Time in Rushing Yards (5,535) Led NFC in Rushing Average (1998) Led NFL in Longest Run (1998) Life post NFL In 2022, it was announced that he was nominated for the 2023 College Hall of Fame Awards. Personal life Hearst is married and has four children. He resides in Georgia. Gay slur controversy In 2002, Hearst made inflammatory anti-gay comments to the Fresno Bee after Esera Tuaolo admitted he was gay. "Aww, hell no! I don't want any faggots on my team. I know this might not be what people want to hear, but that's a punk. I don't want any faggots in this locker room." Three weeks later, Hearst apologized for his comments. See also List of NCAA major college football yearly scoring leaders References External links A video of Hearst's 96 yard touchdown run from NFL.com 1971 births Living people All-American college football players American football running backs Arizona Cardinals players Cincinnati Bengals players Denver Broncos players Georgia Bulldogs football players National Conference Pro Bowl players People from Lincolnton, Georgia Phoenix Cardinals players Players of American football from Georgia