For the third time in four years, former Eli Chris Hetherington ’96 is sporting a new uniform.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound running back signed with the San Francisco 49ers yesterday. Hetherington, who has spent the last nine years in the NFL, played the last two seasons with the Oakland Raiders. In 2004, he started two games and appeared in five, averaging four yards rushing and 9.3 yards receiving. In 2003, he appeared in 14 games. Three years before, in 2000 with the Carolina Panthers, he had his best year. He played in all 16 games, compiling 116 yards receiving and 65 yards rushing.

Hetherington, a North Branford native, played quarterback for the Bulldogs. After graduating, he had seven-week stint with the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice team and went on to sign with Indianapolis in October 2006. He played three seasons with the Colts, from 1996 to 1998.