Hearst rushed for 1,019 Yards for San Francisco in 1997, and would post 1,570 in 1998, a number that would be a career-high, and was good enough for third overall in the NFL.  Unfortunately, Hearst endured a gruesome injury in the playoffs, where he twisted his ankle when it was caught in the Georgia Dome turf.  His recovery was hampered by circulatory problems that led to Avascular Necrosis, a condition so bad that his talus bone died.

The Running Back was not going to give up, and after two years of rehab, he returned from a place that no other football player ever had.  Hearst rushed for 1,206 Yards, was a Pro Bowler again, and captured the Comeback Player of the Year Award.  Hearst had two more good years before he was released.

Hearst would overall accrue 7,139 Yards From Scrimmage as a 49er, an incredible number considering what he overcame.