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Quarterback Joe Montana led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl championships in the '80s. Source: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/joe-montana-headlines-qbs-with-ties-to-49ers-chiefs (May be subject to copyright) |
If you needed to drive the length of the field on your last possession to win a game in the 1980s, there was no one you would want playing quarterback more than Joe Montana.
He began the decade by winning the Super Bowl and ended it the same way, winning a couple more along the way to cement his place in history as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
When his San Francison 49ers took the field for the NFC Championship Game earlier today, I was reminded of when he first broke on the scene then just kept on winning.
In the beginning
Joe Montana played his college football at my beloved Notre Dame from 1974 to 1978, leading the Fighting Irish to the national championship in 1977. In his last game at Notre Dame, he battled hypothermia and came out of the locker room late in the third quarter with the Irish trailing the Houston Cougars by a score of 34-12. He rallied his team with three touchdowns in the last eight minutes of the game to win 35-34.
Joe Montana played his college football at my beloved Notre Dame from 1974 to 1978, leading the Fighting Irish to the national championship in 1977. In his last game at Notre Dame, he battled hypothermia and came out of the locker room late in the third quarter with the Irish trailing the Houston Cougars by a score of 34-12. He rallied his team with three touchdowns in the last eight minutes of the game to win 35-34.
It was just a sign of things to come as Montana turned pro.
Pro scouts overlooked Montana, so he ended up the fourth quarterback taken in the 1979 NFL Draft. The San Francisco 49ers selected Joe Montana in the third round, with the 82nd pick overall.
What a steal that would be.
Montana backed up Steve DeBerg for the 1979 season, although he did appear in all 16 games for the 49ers. He completed 13 of 23 passes for 96 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He started one game, which the Niners lost en route to a 2-14 record and last place in the NFC West Division.
Yet a new decade was about to start. Joe Montana would emerge as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time by the end of it.
Dawn of the decade
Joe Montana would become the starter of the 49ers part way through the 1980 season, and remain in that position for the rest of the 1980s. He would start a total of seven games, winning two and losing five, as San Francisco finished with a 6-10 record, better than the year before, and good enough for third in the NFC West. They did have New Orleans in their division who had one win all season.
Joe Montana would become the starter of the 49ers part way through the 1980 season, and remain in that position for the rest of the 1980s. He would start a total of seven games, winning two and losing five, as San Francisco finished with a 6-10 record, better than the year before, and good enough for third in the NFC West. They did have New Orleans in their division who had one win all season.
Montana finished the season completing 176 of 273 passes for 1,795 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed 32 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns, and led the NFL in completion percentage.
Perhaps the most interesting thing occurred in a game against those hapless New Orleans Saints, who came to Candlestick Park in San Francisco still winless. They led 35-7 at halftime, and 35-21 to start the fourth quarter. Montana rallied the Niners, tying the game, and taking it into overtime where they won it 38-35 with a field goal. Wikipedia reveals this was Montana’s first fourth quarter comeback victory, something he would do 26 times with the 49ers and 31 times in his career.
That was another indication of the renaissance that was coming for the San Francisco 49ers.
Out of the blue
The 1981 season would be the most successful for the 49ers up to that point in their history. Head coach Bill Walsh was an innovator who developed strategies that are in common use now. Those include as scripting the first 10 or 15 plays, throwing to the fullback out of the backfield, and utilizing slant patterns. This and much more was part of what has become known as the “West Coast Offence”.
The 1981 season would be the most successful for the 49ers up to that point in their history. Head coach Bill Walsh was an innovator who developed strategies that are in common use now. Those include as scripting the first 10 or 15 plays, throwing to the fullback out of the backfield, and utilizing slant patterns. This and much more was part of what has become known as the “West Coast Offence”.
The result was a 49ers team that finished the year with a 13-3 record and took first place in the NFC West, six games ahead of Atlanta who went 6-9. Montana finished the year leading the NFL in passing percentage for the second straight season, was named to his first Pro Bowl, and was a second team All-Pro. He finished the year completing 311 of 488 passes for a 63.7-percent average, 3,565 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
The 49ers opened the playoffs as the number one seed in their NFC Divisional Game, hosting the New York Giants who had defeated Philadelphia in the NFC Wild Card Game. San Francisco defeated the Giants by a score of 38-24 to advance to the NFC Championship Game. Awaiting them was the perennial playoff favourite, the Dallas Cowboys, who were appearing in their second of three straight NFC Championship Games after blowing out Tampa Bay 38-0 in the other NFC Divisional Game.
The 1981 NFC Championship was a game for the ages. The teams went back and forth, but the game is remembered for one play. With Dallas leading 27-21 late in the fourth quarter, Montana drove the 49ers down the field. Then on a pivotal third down on the Dallas six-yard line, he was in trouble, rolled to his right and was seemingly throwing the ball out of the end zone. Incredibly receiver Dwight Clark went up high grabbed the ball, and kept both feet in bounds to score what would be the winning touchdown with 51 seconds left in the game. Montana had done it again. The 49ers won 28-27 and were heading to their first Super Bowl.
The Cincinnati Bengals also had a dream season, qualifying for their first Super Bowl as well.
Although they were the top team in the NFC all year, the 49ers were still a mystery to the mass audience in the United States largely based in the east. I recall one preview where they discussed the upstart 49ers and how they were led by a quarterback who looked like Barry Manilow.
I guess he does.
The Niners came out firing, going up 7-0 after one quarter and led 20-0 at halftime. The Bengals rallied in the second half, scoring a touchdown in the third quarter which were the only points of the period then tacked on two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough as the 49ers prevailed by a score of 26-21.
The San Francisco 49ers had won their first Super Bowl.
Montana was named most valuable player of the Super Bowl, finishing 14 of 22 for 157 yards and a touchdown.
Between bowls
It is difficult to repeat as champions of any sport, and the San Francisco 49ers found that out in 1982. A labour dispute shortened the season to just nine games. As a result, the NFL decided to have a 16-team playoff tournament, with the top eight teams in each conference qualifying. There were no divisions that year, just the two conferences. The 49ers finished with a 3-6 record, in a three-way tie for 11th in the NFC. Only the Los Angeles Rams had a worse record, at 2-7.
It is difficult to repeat as champions of any sport, and the San Francisco 49ers found that out in 1982. A labour dispute shortened the season to just nine games. As a result, the NFL decided to have a 16-team playoff tournament, with the top eight teams in each conference qualifying. There were no divisions that year, just the two conferences. The 49ers finished with a 3-6 record, in a three-way tie for 11th in the NFC. Only the Los Angeles Rams had a worse record, at 2-7.
However, Montana had a good year statistically. He completed 213 of 346 passes for 2,613 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, leading the league in attempts and touchdowns. He also set an NFL record at the time with five straight 300-yard passing games.
In 1983, the Niners were back in the playoffs, finishing first in the NFC West with a 10-6 record, and a date in the Divisional Game with the Detroit Lions. Again, Montana engineered another come-from-behind victory with a late game-winning touchdown, giving the Niners a 24-23 victory and a date with Washington in the NFC Championship Game. Again Montana almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Trailing 21-0 to start the fourth quarter, he brought San Francisco all the way back to tie the game at 21-21, only to have Washington kick a late field goal to win the game by a score of 24-21.
Montana finished the season completing a career-high 332 pass in 515 attempts for 3,910 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was also named to the Pro Bowl.
The Niners were back, and ready to challenge for another Super Bowl.
That’s two
In 1984, the San Francisco 49ers accomplished something never done before – they won 15 games. No team had ever done that, given the league had played a 14-game schedule until recently. It was even more wins than the 1972 Miami Dolphins who were, and still are, the only undefeated Super Bowl champion. Yet, the Niners were 15-1, with their lone loss coming at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 1984, the San Francisco 49ers accomplished something never done before – they won 15 games. No team had ever done that, given the league had played a 14-game schedule until recently. It was even more wins than the 1972 Miami Dolphins who were, and still are, the only undefeated Super Bowl champion. Yet, the Niners were 15-1, with their lone loss coming at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Montana had finished the season completing 279 of 432 passes for 3,630 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was also named a Second Team All-Pro and went to his second straight Pro Bowl.
The Niners opened the playoffs with a 21-10 win over he New York Giants in the NFC Divisional Game then trounced the upstart Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game by a score of 23-0.
They would face the Miami Dolphins and their young phenom quarterback Dan Marino in the Super Bowl, winning by a convincing score of 38-16. Joe Montana was named Super Bowl most valuable player for the second time, completing 24 of 35 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns.
Back to Earth
It is hard to repeat as champions, as the Niners again found out in 1985. They finished the season second in the NFC West with a 10-6 record a game behind the Los Angeles Rams, and made the playoffs as a Wild Card team. They faced the New York Giants for the second straight year in the playoffs, this time losing by a score of 17-3.
It is hard to repeat as champions, as the Niners again found out in 1985. They finished the season second in the NFC West with a 10-6 record a game behind the Los Angeles Rams, and made the playoffs as a Wild Card team. They faced the New York Giants for the second straight year in the playoffs, this time losing by a score of 17-3.
Montana finished the regular season completing 303 of 494 passes for 3,653 yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He led the league in completion percentage at 61.3, and was named to his third straight Pro Bowl.
A personal comeback
The 1986 season was down and up for Joe Montana. He hurt his back in the first game of the season, and was not expected to return that season or maybe ever. Yet he did. Wikipedia reveals he passed for 270 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
The 1986 season was down and up for Joe Montana. He hurt his back in the first game of the season, and was not expected to return that season or maybe ever. Yet he did. Wikipedia reveals he passed for 270 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Montana appeared in only eight games that year, going 6-2, and completing 191 of 307 passes for 2,236 yards, eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. It was the only time in his career he had more interceptions than touchdowns. However, he was named the co-NFL Comeback Player of the Year with Tommy Kramer of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Niners finished first in the NFC West with a 10-5-1 record, their first of five straight division titles. They faced the New York Giants in the NFC Divisional Game, their third straight meeting in the playoffs, and the Giants blew out San Francisco by a score of 49-3.
Disappointment
San Francisco again finished first in the NFC West in 1987 with a record of 13-2, the best in the NFL. They drew Minnesota in the NFC Divisional game and were upset by the Vikings by a score of 36-24. That season was also affected by a work stoppage, which is why teams played 15 instead of 16 games. One week was lost and three were filled with replacement players.
San Francisco again finished first in the NFC West in 1987 with a record of 13-2, the best in the NFL. They drew Minnesota in the NFC Divisional game and were upset by the Vikings by a score of 36-24. That season was also affected by a work stoppage, which is why teams played 15 instead of 16 games. One week was lost and three were filled with replacement players.
Wikipedia reveals Montana crossed the picket line and, against replacement players, threw five touchdowns. He finished the year with 266 completions on 398 attempts for 3,054 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He led the league in touchdowns, with a 66.8 percent completion percentage, and a 102.1 passer rating. Montana was also a First team All-Pro and named to his fifth Pro Bowl.
I had a friend who was a 49er fan, and I really didn’t like them a bunch. She came to our room in res quite often so, in addition to teasing her about the Niners choking, I posted this “Edmonton Journal” clipping of the loss to Minnesota on my wall in res that had the headline “Vikings grind up 49ers”.
However, what made the 49ers so formidable was they learned from their losses.
Super Bowl hat trick
The 49ers didn’t start as well as the year before, sitting with a 6-5 record and facing the real possibility of missing the playoffs in 1988. Yet, Montana once again rallied the troops, as San Francisco won four of their last five to finish with a 10-6 record and take the NFC West title again. They had a re-match with Minnesota in the NFC Divisional Game, hammering the Vikings by a score of 34-9 then beat Chicago 28-3 in the NFC Championship Game to go to the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 49ers didn’t start as well as the year before, sitting with a 6-5 record and facing the real possibility of missing the playoffs in 1988. Yet, Montana once again rallied the troops, as San Francisco won four of their last five to finish with a 10-6 record and take the NFC West title again. They had a re-match with Minnesota in the NFC Divisional Game, hammering the Vikings by a score of 34-9 then beat Chicago 28-3 in the NFC Championship Game to go to the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals.
It was another close game, coming right down to the end. Once more the Niners trailed late and Montana drove them down the field 92 yards, hitting John Taylor with the game-winning touchdown pass with just 39 seconds left.
Montana finished the game 23 of 36 for 357 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
He had an excellent season overall, completing 238 of 397 passes for 2,981 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
For the third time in the decade, the Niners had a chance to repeat.
Dominating the decade
The Niners had a much better regular season in 1989 than the year before. They finished 14-2, once again finished first in the NFC West, and were the top seed in the playoffs. They once again demolished Minnesota in the NFC Divisional Game by a score of 41-13, and beat the Los Angeles Rams by a score of 30-3 in the NFC Championship Game. They now faced the Denver Broncos, who were making their third Super Bowl appearance in four years.
The Niners had a much better regular season in 1989 than the year before. They finished 14-2, once again finished first in the NFC West, and were the top seed in the playoffs. They once again demolished Minnesota in the NFC Divisional Game by a score of 41-13, and beat the Los Angeles Rams by a score of 30-3 in the NFC Championship Game. They now faced the Denver Broncos, who were making their third Super Bowl appearance in four years.
The game was never close as the Niners scored at will. They put up the highest point total in NFL history, with largest margin of victory, winning 55-10. Montana earned his third Super Bowl most valuable player award on the strength of going 22 of 29 for 297 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.
It capped off a season where Montana won his first of two straight NFL Most Valuable Player awards, was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, a First Team All-Pro, and went to his sixth Pro Bowl. He finished the year completing 271 of 386 passes for 3,521 yards, 26 youchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also led the league with a 70.2 percent completion average, a 9.1-yard average, and a then NFL record 112.4 passer rating.
The years after
Joe Montana would not win another Super Bowl.The Niners had another incredible regular season in 1990, going 14-2 but losing in the NFC Championship Game to the New York Giants. Montana was the NFL Most Valuable Player, a First Team All-Pro, and played in his seventh Pro Bowl. He suffered serious injuries in that loss to the Giants and would never be the same with the 49ers. By then San Francisco had acquired Steve Young, so Montana moved on to Kansas City and played with the Chiefs for the 1993 and 1994 seasons, leading them to the AFC Championship Game in 1993.
Joe Montana would not win another Super Bowl.The Niners had another incredible regular season in 1990, going 14-2 but losing in the NFC Championship Game to the New York Giants. Montana was the NFL Most Valuable Player, a First Team All-Pro, and played in his seventh Pro Bowl. He suffered serious injuries in that loss to the Giants and would never be the same with the 49ers. By then San Francisco had acquired Steve Young, so Montana moved on to Kansas City and played with the Chiefs for the 1993 and 1994 seasons, leading them to the AFC Championship Game in 1993.
He retired after the 1994 season.
Joe Montana was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Parting thoughts
Joe Montana is just one of the best quarterbacks of all time. It was not his statistics, or championships that put him among the NFL elite.
Joe Montana is just one of the best quarterbacks of all time. It was not his statistics, or championships that put him among the NFL elite.
It was the fact that, with the game on the line and his team trailing, he found a way to bring his team back. His career is full of come-from-behind victories and late-game finishes.
With Joe Montana at the helm, the San Francisco 49ers were never out of a game.
He just had that aura about him.
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