Freddie Solomon, the former wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins and 49ers who became known as “Fabulous Freddie” and committed himself to community service for decades, died on Monday. He was 59.

The 49ers announced the passing of Solomon, who had battled cancer over the past year and lived in Florida. He played on the first of the 49er’s four Super Bowl championship teams in the 1980s during an 11-year NFL career.

“The 49ers have lost a member of our family today. We will miss you, Freddie Solomon,” the 49ers CEO Jed York posted on his Twitter account.

Miami selected Freddie in the second round of the 1975 draft coming out of the University of Tampa. He spent his first three NFL seasons with the Dolphins and his final eight years in San Francisco, finishing with 371 receptions for 5,846 yards and 48 touchdowns during 371 games.

During his time in San Francisco, Solomon also ran for 329 yards and three TDs and was an important member of late Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense.

Solomon’s 43 TD catches with San Francisco are tied for sixth most in the team’s history.

“Freddie was very influential to me and to my career, and taught me a lot about work ethic and professionalism. He inspired me to go out there every day and emulate him,” said Hall of Fame wideout Jerry Rice.

After his football career ended, Solomon worked in community relations with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida for two decades, where he mentored youth and taught them vital life lessons through football fundamentals.

“Freddie Solomon was a very dear friend and a great teammate,” Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana said. “There was no one who gave more than Freddie on and off the field. The kindness he demonstrated was inspirational to everyone that knew him, and a pure joy to be around. The warmth of his smile will be forever imbedded in my heart and mind.”

Solomon was born on Jan. 11, 1953, in Sumter, South Carolina He is survived by his wife, Dee; mother, Bessie Ruth Solomon; by brothers Richard, Oneal and Roger; and his mother-in-law Mae Jeffers.

Funeral services are scheduled for Friday in Tampa, Florida at Saint Lawrence Church.

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