When talking about the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL, the list starts and ends with one Tom Brady. However, competition for the second spot is strong. Names like Peyton Manning and an emerging Patrick Mahomes all try to stake their claim. However, the name universally agreed upon remains Joe Montana. Giving birth to one of the original dynasties, Montana became the gold standard for quarterbacks until Brady came along in the 21st century. Spending all but 2 seasons of his 16-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, he became the greatest player in the franchise’s history.
He earned the nickname “Joe Cool” due to his unwavering confidence and failure to falter under pressure. After a national championship victory with Notre Dame, Montana made his way over to the NFL in 1979 as San Francisco selected him with the 82nd overall pick. Something about all-time quarterbacks being selected late in the draft, huh?
After spending the first two years coming off the sidelines, Montana became a regular starter midway through the 1980 season. In his first year as a full-time starter, Joe took the team to and won a Super Bowl, being named MVP in the process. Moreover, it was also the year of what would come to be known as “The Catch” in Montana’s signature game, the 1981 NFC Championship.
However, that was just a sign of things to come.
Joe Montana’s Height
Joe Montana has a recorded height of 6 feet and 2 inches or 1.88 meters. Joseph Clifford Montana Jr. was born on June 11, 1956, in New Eagle, Pennsylvania. With a perfectly curated height for playing quarterback in the NFL, Montana became synonymous with comeback victories in iconic moments. While his build was suited for the game, it was his mental fortitude that gave “the Comeback Kid” his biggest edge.
In his career, Montana would go on to win three more Super Bowls, being named the MVP 2 more times. However, his most iconic play in Super Bowl history, came in the one time he did not win MVP when he was responsible for a Super Bowl-winning 92-yard drive against the Cincinnati Bengals. With eight career Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro nominations, Montana’s resume was stacked. Winner of the 1989 and 1990 NFL MVP Awards, his offensive contributions allowed him to win the Offensive Player of the Year Award as well in the former year. However, in terms of legend-making, nothing comes close to his efforts in 1986. After what was described as a potentially career-ending injury, Montana returned in just over a month and let the team to the playoffs once more, a feat which earned him the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Ideally suited for the quarterback position with mental toughness in spades, Montana put together one of the most accomplished resumes of all time. To name a few: Two-time passing touchdown leader, two-time passer rating leader, 5-time completion percentage leader, NFL 75th Anniversary team, NFL 100th Anniversary Team, San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame, NFL 1980s All-Decades team, most passes in the Super Bowl without an interception, and the highest all-time passer rating at 127.8.
FAQs
A. At the ideal height for quarterbacks in the NFL, Joe Montana stands at six feet and two inches.
A. Originator of one of the first NFL dynasties, Joe Montana won four Super Bowls in his career.
A. Joe spent 14 of his 16 years with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL.
A. After suffering a horrific back injury, that sidelined him And led to suggestions of retirement. Montana miraculously returned a month and a half later and led the team to a playoff appearance, winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in the process.
A. Born in June 1956 Joe Montana is currently 67 years old.
