San Francisco 49ers QB Joe Montana: The Making of Joe Cool

Joe Montana, former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, retired as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game. To examine the making of the legendary quarterback, we start in South Bend Indiana, at the University of Notre Dame. Montana arrived at Notre Dame after turning down a scholarship to play basketball at North Carolina State University.

As with most freshman at big Universities, Montana didn't play much his first year. During his sophomore year, Montana would get more playing time, and he made the most of it. Montana led the Irish to, two fourth quarter comebacks. The sophomore QB's best game came against Air Force, when he led the Irish back from a 20 point deficit with only 13 minutes to go. After playing sparingly as a junior, Montana finally became the starting QB for the Irish during his senior season, and he saved his best for last.

In 1979, Notre Dame played Houston in the Cotton Bowl. Down 34-12 with only 7:12 left, a sick Joe Montana would lead the Irish back, and defeat Houston, 34-35. Despite his heroics in college, Montana would last until the 3^rd round of the NFL Draft, where the San Francisco 49ers selected him.

Montana's professional career would begin like his college career had, on the bench, but midway through his second year, he'd worked his way onto the field, but it wasn't until his third year that the legacy of his pro career would begin. In his first full year as a starter, 1981, Montana led the 49ers to the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XVI, Montana would be named MVP, after guiding the 49ers pass the Cincinnati Bengals, 26-21. The next season, Montana and the 49ers wouldn't have a chance to defend their title, as the NFL season was cut short, due to a strike. When the NFL resumed in 1983, Montana and the 49ers would make the playoffs, but lose, in the NFC divisional game.

1984 would be another Super Bowl year for San Francisco. Montana would face Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl, XIX. Montana would win his second MVP as the 49ers defeated the Dolphins, 38-16. The next season, 1985, San Francisco would reach the playoffs again, but lose.

After getting injured during week one, Montana would miss time during the 1986 season with a back injury. Playing in just half the regular season games that year, Montana ended the year with more interceptions then touchdowns, the only time that occurred in his career.

Before the 1987 season started, the 49ers traded for Steve Young. Though Montana's numbers were good in 1987, 31 touchdowns, 3,054 yards, and a quarterback rating of 102.1, Steve Young also received playing time, and himself finished with a rating of, 120.8. The success of both quarterbacks in 1987, would result in a quarterback controversy in 1988.

Though both shared time leading the team in 1988, it was Montana who eventually secured the job as starting QB, and guided the 49ers into the playoffs, and Super Bowl XXIII. In the Super Bowl, Montana showed he was still the leader of the team. With only minutes left in the game, and his team needing a touchdown to win, Cool Joe began the offensive series inside his own 10 yard line. Watching the game, I was afraid for the first time in a Super Bowl, the 49ers wouldn't be victorious, but I should have known better. We had Joe Montana. As the 49ers QB moved the team down the field, eventually connecting with John Taylor for the game winning touchdown, you were reminded why he was, one of the best QB's to ever play this game.
　
The following year, Montana continued to impress, keeping the 49ers on track to defend their Super Bowl title. When they faced the Denver Broncos, in Super Bowl, XXIV Montana would win his record setting third MVP award after orchestrating the 55-10 domination. This would be Montana's last Super Bowl.

In 1990 the 49ers had a great regular season, but lost in the playoffs . It would be Montana's final time leading San Francisco into the postseason. 1991, and 1992 were almost completely lost to an elbow injury Montana suffered. By the time he returned, Young had taken over as the starting quarterback for the 49ers. In a painful move for everyone involved, Joe Montana was traded from San Francisco, to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993. I still remember the magazine with Joe on the cover, announcing his arrival in Kansas City, it was heartbreaking.

Montana would lead the Chiefs to the playoffs both years, getting them to the AFC Championship game his first year. In 1994 Joe Montana would retire. From a third string quarterback at Notre Dame, to a 3^rd round pick in the NFL draft, Joe Montana succeeded at every level. As a San Francisco 49ers fan it was a pleasure to watch in my opinion, the greatest quarterback to ever play the game, Joe Cool Montana.

Joe Montana - Awards And Accomplishments
1977

Helped lead Notre Dame to national college championship

1981, 1983-85, 1987, 1989, 1993

Selected to play in Pro Bowl

1982

Led 49ers to Super Bowl victory over Cincinnati Bengals, winning MVP Trophy

1985

Led 49ers to Super Bowl victory over Miami Dolphins, winning MVP Trophy

1989

Led 49ers to Super Bowl victory over Cincinnati Bengals

1989

Named Sporting News Player of the Year and Man of the Year

1989

Named NFL's Most Valuable Player

1990

Led 49ers to Super Bowl victory over Denver Broncos, winning MVP Trophy

1990

Named NFL's Most Valuable Player

1990

Named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year

Sources:

http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/recap/sbxxiv

http://sports.jrank.org/pages/3298/Montana-Joe-Awards-Accomplishments.html

http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/stats.nsf/Annual/1987-sf
http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/recap/sbxix
http://www.mahalo.com/super-bowl-xvi
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/cottonbowl/history/1979.html

http://www.search.com/reference/Joe_Montana