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Joe Montana and Joe Namath are each NFL legends in their own right. The history of the league can't be told without each of their names being mentioned along the way. They have each won MVP awards and Super Bowl rings on their to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
While both Montana and Namath are unquestionably iconic NFL quarterbacks, it's fair to wonder who had the better overall career. Comparing any two players can often be subjective, but when looking at the totality of these two careers, a pretty clear winner emerges. Here's how it breaks down.
Joe Namath's career-defining moment made him an NFL legend
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While Joe Namath is a former MVP winner, most of his career as a quarterback was polarizing. He led the league in passing yards three times with the New York Jets, but also led in interceptions four times. He threw more than 20 interceptions in an alarming five different seasons, making him the definition of a gunslinger.
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Namath totaled more career interceptions than touchdowns, while completing 50 percent of his passes. He also lost more games than he won in his career, carrying a lifetime 62-63-4 record.
His list of accomplishments don't necessarily scream legendary status, despite a clearly solid career. What truly gave him his iconic status was Super Bowl III. In the third championship game between the AFL and NFL, Namath guaranteed victory for his Jets, while completing 17 of 28 passes for 206 yards. They were massive underdogs when he made the statement, especially with the NFL winning each of the first two meetings.
Joe Namath backed up his guarantee by earning a victory, while also being named the Super Bowl MVP. It's one of the most memorable stories from NFL history and may have saved the current version of the league. The merger was rumored to be in jeopardy if the NFL made it three in a row, which could have potentially eliminated the Super Bowl altogether.
Joe Montana was once considered the GOAT QB
Joe Montana was considered by most around the NFL to be the greatest quarterback ever before Tom Brady eventually surpassed him. While Joe Namath may be a legend, his career accomplishments don't really come close to what Joe Montana achieved. He was superior in almost every statistical measurement.
Unlike Namath, Joe Montana is defined by being a winner, including a stellar 117-47 career record. He also never really struggled with interceptions, throwing nearly double the amount of touchdowns compared to his turnovers. Montana won NFL MVP awards, while leading the league in completion percentage five times and touchdowns twice.
As if his regular season resume wasn't enough, Joe Montana is also one of the greatest postseason quarterbacks of all time. He posted an incredible 16-7 career record in the NFL Playoffs, while leading the San Francisco 49ers to win four Super Bowl rings. He was named the MVP of the game for three of them, and basically held every postseason NFL record before Tom Brady came along.
While there's no denying Namath is a legendary name in NFL history, Joe Montana is in an elite class above him.
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