Joseph Clifford “Joe” Montana Jr. (born June 11, 1956), is a former American professional football player. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers during the third round of the 1979 National Football League. He is known to be the master of come-from-behind victories, nicknamed “Joe Cool” and “The Comeback Kid”. Montana was traded for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993 after playing 14 seasons with the 49ers.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Joe Montana had over 3,409 completions, 40,551 yards, 273 touchdowns and a 92.3 passer rating. He won four Super Bowls and became the first player to ever win the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player three times. He holds numerous records like the Super Bowl most passes without an interception (122 in 4 games) and the all-time highest rating of being a quarterback with 127.8. He was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He was elected to eight Pro Bowls, voted 1st team All-Pro 5 times. Other of his achievements includes being named the NFL MVP by the Associated Press in 1989 and “Sportsman of the Year” by Sports Illustrated in 1990.
Why Was He So Good?
Montana was known for being calm and collected under pressure. His strange capability to bring a team back from clear defeat was so common that it was simply known as the “Montana Magic”.
What You May Not Know
- Joe Montana was born in New Eagle, Pennsylvania and was raised in the football stronghold of west Pennsylvania. Famous players from west Pen were George Blanda, Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas, Johnny Lujack, Joe Namath, Chuck Fusina and Terry Hanratty.
- His nickname “Joe Cool” was given to him because of his ability to stay calm under pressure and the “Comeback Kid” for running his team from late-game shortages. He was also known as “Big Legs”, a nickname given to him by the 49ers because of his very thin legs and small calves. “Golden Joe” because he was part of the San Francisco team of California (the Golden State).
- He got into peewee football when he was eight after his father listed his age as nine on the application form. He played football and joined a local little league team and played a bit of basketball as well.
Related Pages
- More American Football players
- Athlete Database home
- About the sport of American Football