American · New Eagle, Pennsylvania · Born 11 June 1956San Francisco 49ers quarterback widely regarded among the greatest ever, winning four Super Bowls and three Super Bowl MVP awards.
Joseph Clifford Montana Jr. was born on 11 June 1956 in New Eagle, Pennsylvania, and his father forged his birth certificate as a boy so he could play peewee football a year early. He starred at Ringgold High School before playing college football at Notre Dame, leading the Fighting Irish to the 1977 national championship after rising from seventh-string quarterback. The San Francisco 49ers selected Montana in the third round, 82nd overall, of the 1979 NFL Draft, and he developed into one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, renowned for a record 26 fourth-quarter comeback victories that earned him the nickname "the Comeback Kid." Montana, nicknamed "Joe Cool" for his calm demeanour under pressure, led the 49ers to four Super Bowl championships without a single interception across those games, winning three Super Bowl MVP awards, including a decisive 92-yard fourth-quarter drive to win Super Bowl XXIII. Montana finished his career with the Kansas City Chiefs before retiring in 1994, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000, widely regarded as one of the two or three greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game.
49ers QB, 4x Super Bowl champion
He never threw an interception across four Super Bowl appearances — a remarkable record of composure.
Did You Know?How They Played
Calm under pressure, exceptional accuracy, masterful pocket presence, and ability to perform in crucial moments
Lasting Impact
Widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and the ultimate clutch performer
Career Honours
- Pro Football Hall of Fame 2000
- 4x Super Bowl champion
- 3x Super Bowl MVP
- 2x NFL MVP
- 8x Pro Bowl
| Team | Period | Games | Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 1979–1992 | 164 | #16 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 1993–1994 | 152 | #16 |
American Athletes