History of Joe Montana in Timeline

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

June 11, 1956: Birth of Joe Montana

On June 11, 1956, Joseph Clifford Montana Jr., later known as Joe Montana, was born. He would go on to become a legendary NFL quarterback.

Others born on this day/year

1966: Notre Dame Wins National Championship

In 1966, Notre Dame, coached by Ara Parseghian, won the NCAA national championship, setting the stage for a successful football program that would later recruit Joe Montana.

1972: Miami Dolphins Undefeated Season

In 1972, the Miami Dolphins finished the NFL season with no losses, although the regular season at the time only consisted of 14 games.

1973: WPIAL Class AAA Basketball Championship

In 1973, Joe Montana helped Ringgold High School win the WPIAL Class AAA boys' basketball championship and was named an all-state player.

1973: Notre Dame Wins National Championship

In 1973, Notre Dame, coached by Ara Parseghian, won the NCAA national championship, marking another significant achievement for the program before Joe Montana's arrival.

December 15, 1974: Parseghian Resigns

On December 15, 1974, Ara Parseghian resigned as coach of Notre Dame due to health problems, leading to the hiring of Dan Devine.

1974: Marriage to Kim Moses

In 1974, Joe Montana married his hometown sweetheart Kim Moses during his second semester at Notre Dame.

1974: Arrival at Notre Dame

In the fall of 1974, Joe Montana arrived at Notre Dame, where the football program was coached by Ara Parseghian.

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.

1976: Shoulder Separation and Medical Redshirt

In 1976, Joe Montana separated his shoulder, preventing him from competing that year. He received a medical redshirt waiver, granting him an extra year of eligibility.

1977: Injuries to Other Quarterbacks

In 1977, during Notre Dame's third game of the season against Purdue, quarterback Gary Forystek suffered a career-ending injury, after the starter Rusty Lisch was replaced. Joe Montana did not appear in either of the first three games.

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: Passing Statistics

In 1980, despite a 6-10 record for the 49ers, Joe Montana passed for 1,795 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also completed a league-leading 64.5 percent of his passes.

1980: Became Starting Quarterback

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

1981: Highest Passer Rating in the NFC

In 1981, Joe Montana achieved the highest passer rating in the National Football Conference (NFC), showcasing his early success as a quarterback.

1981: Marriage to Cass Castillo

In 1981, Joe Montana married Cass Castillo.

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.

1982: NFL Combine Formation

The NFL Combine was formed in 1982.

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.

1984: 15-1 Regular Season Record

In 1984, Joe Montana and the 49ers finished the NFL season with a 15-1 record, becoming the first team to win 15 games in a single regular season.

1984: Divorce from Cass Castillo

In 1984, Joe Montana divorced Cass Castillo.

1984: Highest Passer Rating in the NFC

In 1984, Joe Montana had the highest passer rating in the National Football Conference (NFC), continuing his run of strong performances.

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.

1985: Marriage to Jennifer Wallace

In 1985, Joe Montana married Jennifer Wallace, an actress and model, after they met while working on a Schick commercial.

1985: Highest Passer Rating in the NFC

In 1985, Joe Montana once again achieved the highest passer rating in the National Football Conference (NFC), demonstrating his consistency and skill.

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.

1986: NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award

In 1986, Joe Montana was awarded the NFL Comeback Player of the Year after recovering from a severe back injury sustained earlier in the season.

1987: First-Team All-Pro and Highest Passer Rating

In 1987, Joe Montana was voted first-team All-Pro and had the highest passer rating in both the NFL and the National Football Conference (NFC).

1989: Named NFL Most Valuable Player

In 1989, Joe Montana was named the NFL Most Valuable Player for his outstanding performance throughout the season.

1990: Named NFL Most Valuable Player

In 1990, Joe Montana was once again named the NFL Most Valuable Player, marking consecutive years with the prestigious award.

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.

1994: Named to NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team

In 1994, Joe Montana earned a spot on the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, solidifying his place among the greatest players in NFL history.

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.

1999: Ranked Among Football's Greatest Players

In 1999, The Sporting News ranked Joe Montana third on their list of Football's 100 Greatest Players, and ESPN named him the 25th greatest athlete of the 20th century.

2000: Induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

In 2000, Joe Montana was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

2006: Ringgold High School Renames Football Stadium

In 2006, Ringgold High School renamed their football stadium "Joe Montana Stadium" in honor of Joe Montana, 32 years after he graduated.

2006: Rated Number-One Clutch Quarterback

In 2006, Sports Illustrated rated Joe Montana the number-one clutch quarterback of all time, recognizing his exceptional performance under pressure.

2008: Lawsuit over memorabilia sale

In 2008, Joe Montana sued his first wife and a Dallas auction house for violating his copyright and privacy rights after she sold letters and memorabilia from his college days at Notre Dame.