Career Timeline of Joe Montana: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Joe Montana built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Joe Montana, nicknamed "Joe Cool" and "The Comeback Kid", is a Hall of Fame quarterback who played 16 seasons in the NFL. Primarily known for his time with the San Francisco 49ers, Montana led the team to four Super Bowl victories and earned three Super Bowl MVP awards. He holds Super Bowl records for most passes without an interception and highest passer rating. Before his NFL career, he won a national championship with Notre Dame. He finished his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, leading them to their first AFC Championship Game appearance. Montana is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1975: Impressive Spring Practice

In 1975, Joe Montana performed well during spring practice, impressing coach Dan Devine despite limited playing time the previous year.

1975: Victory Over North Carolina

In 1975, Joe Montana played a key role in Notre Dame's victory over North Carolina, passing for 129 yards in one minute and two seconds of game time, leading Notre Dame to win 21-14.

1978: Come-from-Behind Win Against Pitt

As a fifth-year senior in 1978, Joe Montana helped Notre Dame achieve a come-from-behind win against the Pitt Panthers.

January 1, 1979: "Chicken Soup Game" in the Cotton Bowl

On January 1, 1979, Joe Montana led Notre Dame to a remarkable 35-34 comeback victory against Houston in the Cotton Bowl, later known as the "Chicken Soup Game". Suffering from hypothermia, he was revived with warmed intravenous fluids, blankets, and chicken soup before leading the Irish to three touchdowns in the final eight minutes.

1979: Appeared in all 16 regular season games

During the 1979 season, Joe Montana appeared in all 16 regular season games, though he mostly served as a backup quarterback.

1979: Start of NFL career

In 1979, Joe Montana began his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers after being drafted.

1979: NFL Scouts Evaluate Potential Draftees

In 1979, NFL scouts evaluated potential draftees through combines. Candidates were rated in a number of categories on a scale of one to nine, with one being the worst mark and nine being the best mark. The categories they used were contingent on the position that the athlete played. Joe Montana graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in business administration and marketing.

1979: Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers

In the 1979 NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Joe Montana at the end of the third round as the 82nd overall pick. He was the fourth quarterback selected in the draft.

December 7, 1980: First Fourth Quarter Comeback Victory

On December 7, 1980, Joe Montana led his first fourth quarter comeback victory in the NFL against the New Orleans Saints, tying the game after being down 35-7 at halftime and ultimately winning 38-35 in overtime.

1980: Became Starting Quarterback

Midway through the 1980 season, Joe Montana became the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.

1981: Starting Quarterback and Successful Season

In 1981, Joe Montana started the season as the 49ers' quarterback, contributing to the team's successful 13-3 regular season record, which included two fourth-quarter comebacks led by Montana.

1981: "The Catch" vs. Dallas

In the 1981 NFC Championship Game, Joe Montana threw "the Catch," a game-winning touchdown pass to Dwight Clark against the Dallas Cowboys. This play is now a famous highlight in NFL history.

January 10, 1982: NFC Championship Game: "The Catch"

On January 10, 1982, Joe Montana led the San Francisco 49ers to a 28-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game. With 4:54 left and down 27-21, Montana drove the team down the field, culminating in "The Catch," a game-tying touchdown pass to Dwight Clark with 51 seconds remaining.

1982: Prolific Season Despite Strike

In 1982, Joe Montana had a prolific season, throwing for 2,613 yards and 17 touchdowns in a season shortened to nine games due to a players' strike. He set an NFL record with five consecutive 300-yard passing games.

1983: Successful Season and Playoff Game Victory

In 1983, Joe Montana threw for 3,910 yards and 26 touchdowns, leading the 49ers to a 10-6 record and first place in the NFC West. In the divisional playoff game against the Detroit Lions, Montana completed a game-winning touchdown pass to Freddie Solomon with 1:23 remaining.

1983: Near Trade to Baltimore Colts

In 1983, the 49ers considered trading Joe Montana to the Baltimore Colts for the first overall pick, potentially to draft John Elway, but ultimately reconsidered and traded their first round pick to the San Diego Chargers instead.

1985: NFL Playoffs Appearance

In 1985, Joe Montana led the 49ers to the NFL Playoffs; however, they lost to the New York Giants in the NFC Wild card game.

September 15, 1986: Montana placed on injured reserve

On September 15, 1986, the 49ers placed Joe Montana on the injured reserve list due to a severe back injury sustained in week one, which required surgery. This was a difficult moment in Montana's career as doctors even suggested retirement.

April 20, 1993: Montana Traded to Kansas City Chiefs

On April 20, 1993, Joe Montana was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for their first-round draft pick after vetoing a trade to the Phoenix Cardinals. He signed a three-year, $10 million contract with the Chiefs, marking a new chapter in his career.

1993: Trade to the Kansas City Chiefs

In 1993, Joe Montana was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, marking a new chapter in his NFL career.

April 18, 1995: Montana announces retirement

On April 18, 1995, Joe Montana announced his retirement from professional football at Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco. The event included speeches and highlights from his career.