Joe Montana Timeline

(1956 - Present)

Joe Montana, nicknamed 'Joe Cool' and 'The Comeback Kid,' is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl victories (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV) and was named Super Bowl MVP three times. Known for his poise under pressure and clutch performances, Montana was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. More Less

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Early Life and College

Born in 1956

Jun 11, 1956

Joe Montana was born on June 11, 1956. He would grow up to become an American former professional football quarterback who played in the NFL for 16 seasons, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers.

Image source: Joe Montana

Wins WPIAL basketball championship with Ringgold

1973

Montana showed potential as a basketball player and helped Ringgold win the 1973 WPIAL Class AAA boys' basketball championship while being named an all-state player.

Marries Kim Moses

1974

In 1974, Montana wed his hometown sweetheart Kim Moses during his second semester at Notre Dame. The couple divorced three years later.

Arrives at Notre Dame under Ara Parseghian

1974

When Montana arrived at Notre Dame in the fall of 1974, the football program was coached by Ara Parseghian, who had led the Fighting Irish to NCAA national championships in 1966 and 1973. Under school policy that year freshmen were not permitted to practice or play with the varsity team.

Parseghian resigns as Notre Dame coach

Dec 15, 1974

On December 15, 1974, Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian resigned due to health problems, ushering in a new era for the program just as Joe Montana was beginning his college career.

Image source: Ara Parseghian

Performs well during spring practice

1975

Despite his limited playing time as a freshman, Montana performed well during the 1975 spring practice. Though not made full-time starter, he played a key role in Notre Dame's victory over North Carolina.

Separates shoulder, misses 1976 season

1976

Before the start of the 1976 season, Montana separated his shoulder and was unable to compete that year.

Begins 1977 season third on depth chart

1977

When the 1977 season began, Montana was the third quarterback listed on the team's depth chart, behind Rusty Lisch and Gary Forystek.

Leads comebacks as fifth-year senior in 1978

1978

As a fifth-year senior in 1978, Montana helped Notre Dame to a come-from-behind win against the Pitt Panthers and nearly repeated the feat against USC, Notre Dame's primary rival.

Plays in Cotton Bowl against Houston

Jan 1, 1979

On January 1, 1979, Notre Dame returned to the Cotton Bowl, this time against Houston, in another memorable game featuring Montana's comeback heroics.

Image source: 1979 Cotton Bowl Classic

Marries Cass Castillo

1981 - 1984

Montana married Cass Castillo in 1981; they divorced in 1984. In 1985 he married actress and model Jennifer Wallace, whom he met while working on a Schick commercial.

49ers Career

Rookie season with limited passing role

1979

Although Montana appeared in all 16 regular season games during the 1979 season, he only threw 23 passes. He briefly wore number 19 in training camp before settling on his famous number 16.

Drafted by San Francisco 49ers

1979

In the 1979 NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Montana at the end of the third round with the 82nd overall pick. Although the NFL Combine was not formed until 1982, scouts evaluated draftees through combines in 1979.

Becomes starting quarterback midway through 1980 season

1980

Montana became the starting quarterback midway through the 1980 season. On December 7, 1980, San Francisco hosted the winless New Orleans Saints in one of his early starts. Despite the team finishing 6–10, Montana passed for 1,795 yards and 15 touchdowns against nine interceptions.

First full season as starter and highest NFC passer rating

1981

Montana began the 1981 season as San Francisco's starting quarterback and had the highest passer rating in the NFC, the first of five such seasons (1981, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1989).

Image source: 1981 San Francisco 49ers season

Prolific 1982 season

1982

Montana had a prolific statistical season in 1982, though the 49ers missed the playoffs.

"The Catch" wins NFC Championship Game

Jan 10, 1982

On January 10, 1982, San Francisco faced the Dallas Cowboys as three-point home underdogs at Candlestick Park in the NFC Championship Game. With 58 seconds left, Montana completed a game-winning touchdown pass so memorable it would become known simply as "The Catch".

Image source: The Catch (American football)

49ers consider trading Montana for John Elway rights

1983

Because the 49ers missed the playoffs, the team seriously considered trading Montana to the Baltimore Colts for the first overall pick in the 1983 NFL draft (the right to draft John Elway), but reconsidered and traded their first round pick to the San Diego Chargers weeks before the draft. In 1983, Montana threw for 3,910 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Perfect 15–1 regular season

1984

When the 49ers finished the 1984 NFL season with a 15–1 record, they became the first team to win 15 games in a single regular season, surpassing the mark set by the undefeated but 14-game 1972 Miami Dolphins. Montana again led the NFC in passer rating.

Image source: 1984 San Francisco 49ers season

Playoff loss to Giants in 1985 wild card game

1985

Aided in part by Montana's performance at quarterback, the 49ers advanced to the NFL Playoffs again in 1985; however, they lost in the NFC Wild card game to the New York Giants 17–3.

Severe back injury and Comeback Player of the Year Award

Sep 15, 1986

In week one of the 1986 season, Montana suffered a severe back injury. The 49ers placed him on injured reserve on September 15, 1986; he returned on November 6. He won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, sharing it with Tommy Kramer of the Minnesota Vikings.

Career-high 31 touchdown passes in 1987

1987

In 1987, Montana threw a career-high 31 touchdown passes in just 13 games. He also set the NFL record for most consecutive pass attempts without an incomplete pass (22), passed for 3,054 yards, and posted a 102.1 passer rating — the highest in the NFL that season.

Quarterback controversy with Steve Young begins

1988

Prior to the 1987 season, Bill Walsh completed a trade for quarterback Steve Young from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Young's performance created a controversy over playing time by 1988, though Montana received most of the snaps that season.

Image source: Steve Young

Super Bowl XXIII winning drive vs. Bengals

Jan 1989

In January 1989, the 49ers again faced the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl. Montana led a Super Bowl-winning 92-yard drive that became a staple of NFL highlight films.

Image source: Super Bowl XXIII

MVP seasons and record-setting 1989 campaign

1989 - 1990

Montana was named NFL Most Valuable Player in both 1989 and 1990. His 1989 season included 3,521 yards, 26 touchdowns, only 8 interceptions, and what was then the highest single-season passer rating in NFL history. He also threw for an NFL-record 458 yards in a Monday night game against the Los Angeles Rams in 1989.

Image source: NFL Most Valuable Player Award

Leads 49ers to best record; streak snapped by Rams

Nov 25, 1990

In 1990, Montana led the 49ers to the NFL's best regular season record at 14–2. Three interceptions came in a November 25 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams, ending the 49ers' 18-game winning streak dating back to November 1989.

Misses 1991 and most of 1992 with elbow injury

1991 - 1992

Montana missed the entire 1991 season and most of the 1992 season with an elbow injury sustained during the 1991 pre-season. In the final game of the 1992 regular season, a Monday Night Football matchup against Detroit, he stepped in and played the entire second half.

Chiefs and Retirement

Leads Chiefs to AFC Championship Game in 1993

1993

Though injured for part of 1993, Montana was selected to his final Pro Bowl as Kansas City won its division for the first time in 22 years. He led two come-from-behind playoff wins, and including those victories the Chiefs won 13 games, tying the franchise record. Len Dawson offered Montana his retired number 16.

Traded to Kansas City Chiefs

Apr 20, 1993

On April 20, 1993, Montana was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for their first-round draft pick (18th overall) and signed a $10 million contract for three years. General manager Carl Peterson brought in Paul Hackett, Montana's former quarterbacks coach, to run a West Coast offense under head coach Marty Schottenheimer.

Final NFL season with Chiefs

1994

Montana returned healthy to the Chiefs in 1994, starting all but two games in what would be his final professional season. That same year he earned a spot on the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and is also a member of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.

Announces retirement

Apr 18, 1995

On April 18, 1995, Montana announced his retirement at Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco, closing out a 16-season NFL career.

Honors and Legacy

Number 16 retired by the 49ers

Dec 15, 1997

Montana's number 16 was retired by the 49ers on December 15, 1997, during halftime of the team's Monday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos.

Ranked among greatest players by Sporting News and ESPN

1999

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

Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

2000

Montana was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000, capping off one of the most celebrated careers in NFL history.

Image source: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Named number-one clutch quarterback by Sports Illustrated

2006

In 2006, Sports Illustrated rated Montana the number-one clutch quarterback of all time. Also in 2006, 32 years after he graduated, Ringgold High School renamed its football stadium "Joe Montana Stadium".

Lawsuit over sold memorabilia

2008

In 2008, 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.

Co-founds Liquid 2 Ventures

2015

In 2015, Montana co-founded Liquid 2 Ventures, which he currently manages as part of his post-playing career.

Documentary series Joe Montana: Cool Under Pressure released

Jan 6, 2022

Montana's TV mini-series documentary Joe Montana: Cool Under Pressure was released on January 6, 2022, chronicling his legendary career.