Cleveland Elam (April 5, 1952 – July 12, 2012) was a former American football defensive tackle who played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions in an injury-shortened five-year career that lasted from 1975 to 1979 in the National Football League. Teaming with Cedric Hardman, Jimmy Webb and Tommy Hart, the 49ers Gold Rush defensive line led the NFL in sacks during the 1976 season. Elam had 14.5 sacks in 1976 and led the team with 17.5 sacks in 1977. Elam died on July 12, 2012 survived by his wife Blanche and four children.