eventual NFC champion Atlanta Falcons. 1999–2010: Going downhill Ownership change: Eddie out, the Yorks in In the late 1990s, Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. was involved in a corruption investigation regarding Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards and one of his Mississippi riverboat casinos. DeBartolo later pleaded guilty to a failure to report a felony charge in 1998. He was suspended from active control of the 49ers for one year. His sister, Denise DeBartolo York, and her husband, Dr. John York, took over operations of the team. Eddie DeBartolo returned from his suspension in 1999, but a series of lawsuits over control of the family's vast holdings led him to surrender controlling interest to the Yorks as part of a 2000 settlement. Denise York is now chairwoman of the board, while John York was named CEO. 1999 On the field, the 1999 version of the 49ers got off to a 3–1 start, then in a nationally televised Monday Night Football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Steve Young suffered a blindside hit from cornerback Aeneas Williams that would eventually force him to retire. Without their future Hall of Famer, the 49ers lost 11 of their last 12 games, and suffered their first losing season in a non-strike year since 1980, which was also the last time that the 49ers failed to win at least 10 or more games in a season. Bobb McKittrick, 49ers offensive line coach since 1979, also died of cancer following the 1999 season. 2000: Jerry Rice's final season in San Francisco In their first season without Steve Young, Jeff Garcia in just his second season, had his best season throwing for 31 touchdowns, but the 49ers ended the year at 6–10. This season marked the end of an era as Jerry Rice, who played 16 seasons with the 49ers, left the team at the end of the season. 2001 With a 12–4 record, the 49ers returned to the playoffs for the first time since 1998, but lost to the Green Bay Packers in Wild Card round. The defense, who ranked 28th last year, improved to 9th for the season. The season also marked the return of running back Garrison Hearst, who missed the previous two seasons due to an ankle injury suffered Divisional Round against Atlanta. 2002–2004: Last gasps of glory In 2002, they produced the second-greatest comeback in 49er playoff history when Jeff Garcia led the team back from a