Football Montana still has his place as the coolest guy in the room

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-07-2015, 05:32 AM

Montana still has his place as the coolest guy in the room

It wasn't that long ago — barely four months, in fact — when the debate raged on among football fans.

As Tom Brady prepared to lead the New England Patriots to what turned out to be a championship in Super Bowl XLIX, the question came from seemingly all corners.

Who is the better quarterback: Brady or Joe Montana? Do you take Brady and his six Super Bowl appearances (and what is now four world championships)? Or is it Montana and his perfect 4-0 record (with no interceptions) in the biggest game on the planet?

When Montana made his appearance in the Ozarks on Thursday night for the inaugural 2015 Best of SW Missouri Preps event, I posed to him that question.

His answer came back nearly before I could get the question out.

Brady or Montana, who's the better quarterback?

"Oh, it's obviously me," Montana said with a wry smile.

And the thing is, it wasn't a cocky statement, said with an air of arrogance. It was said in typical "Joe Cool" fashion, the same way he conducted himself during a 16-year career where he cemented his place as the best quarterback in the modern era.

Arguably, at least.

Montana touched on a variety of subjects in a 10-minute interview in one of the side rooms at the University Plaza Convention Center. One of them was the controversy currently surrounding Brady and the Patriots, of the alleged intentional deflating of the footballs to his liking and below the levels mandated by league rules.

It resulted in huge penalties for the Patriots, and a four-game suspension for Brady that is still under appeal with the NFL.

I asked Montana about those who say you can't tell the difference between such miniscule differences in how much the balls are inflated. Another quick answer, and surprisingly frank.

"If you can't tell the difference, you're not a quarterback," Montana said.

"It may be a dumb rule, but it was a rule. And I think that's what everybody is trying to figure out: 'Well, it didn't really make any difference.' The thing that hasn't come out yet is how long he's been doing that?

"It doesn't take anything away from him, he's a great quarterback."

Montana thrilled a crowd of nearly 1,000 that turned out to honor the best of the best on the high school sports scene for the past school year. He posed for photos with the winners, visited with some lucky attendees and went through an extended Q&A session with News-Leader prep sports reporter Rance Burger, and even took questions from fans.

It was all off-the-cuff (or at least it seemed to be), and he seemed genuinely excited to help honor the student-athletes in attendance.

And though his playing career ended in 1994, he remains a big name to fans of all ages.

"It's been 20 years, but it's amazing," he said. "Sometimes there's people you see that are your age that don't have any idea, and then there are kids that you say, 'No way he knows,' but he knows all your stats, and I don't even know those stats."

Montana obviously made his name with the 49ers, where he played from 1979-1992 and won four Super Bowls in four trips to the big game. He was named Super Bowl MVP three times.

And yet, he ended up requesting a trade when Steve Young came on the scene and it became apparent that he wouldn't be allowed to compete for the starting job.

That forced his hand and helped land him in Kansas City in time for the 1993 season, and while he has warm memories of his time with the Chiefs, to this day he wishes it hadn't come to that.

"I don't have any regrets about my time in Kansas City," Montana said. "Fortunately for me, it was a great time. We made some great friends, it was a great organization and I had some great teammates. That's what it was all about.

"But it never should have happened to begin with. But it is what it is, and you have to learn to move on and make the best of it."

The only other regret he had about his career was after his two seasons with the Chiefs. He helped lead Kansas City to the playoffs in both seasons, including a trip to the AFC Championship game his first season there — which remains the last time the franchise has won a playoff game.

After the 1994 season, when the team went 9-7 and made a quick playoff exit — a season highlighted by being on the winning side in a much-hyped game against Young and the Niners, Montana decided to step away from the game.

And it's a decision he still thinks about.

"I just wish I hadn't retired so early," Montana said.

With four children at home, it was a health-driven call that he had to make.

"It was more of a physical thing than a mental one," he said. "One of the concussions gave me, almost like a pain across my head, like a lightning bolt from one side of my head to the other.

"And I was like, 'Oh, I've never felt that before.' My kids were still growing up, and I wanted to be able to enjoy that part of it with them."

Yet while today he may look back and regret ending his playing time when he did, and not giving it another couple of seasons, he obviously still loves the game and all it has done for him. He went on to successful careers in the finance field with a couple of former Niners teammates, and currently works in the technology sector, where he even has a video game coming out.

He told the story of a teammate whose locker was next to his in Kansas City, and asking this teammate one day what he had on his ankle. It was a house arrest ankle bracelet.

So when NFL players — or really athletes or celebrities in general — get into the headlines for the wrong reasons and off-field legal incidents, it isn't a surprise. He holds up his cell phone when the issue comes up.

"These things get everybody," Montana said. "People don't realize that you have to watch everywhere you go, because somebody's always got a camera or a video camera, and they're just waiting for you to do something.

"There's probably the same amount of incidents in all different professions, it's just not as prevalent because it's not in the press."

OldSchool · 06-07-2015, 10:35 AM

Really cool.

Chromatic · 06-07-2015, 10:45 AM

He says he wishes he hadn't retired so early. I wonder if Joe with the decently stacked 1995 team would have been able to make a good SB run. No way they lose to the Colts if Joe was at the helm, even with Elliot shanking 3 FGs.

**Bowser** · 06-07-2015, 10:48 AM

Good read. It's always interesting when a guy with a profile like Montana pulls the curtain back a touch.

I'm going to go ahead and assume Joe had his locker right next to Dale Carter.

**Bowser** · 06-07-2015, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chromatic

He says he wishes he hadn't retired so early. I wonder if Joe with the decently stacked 1995 team would have been able to make a good SB run. No way they lose to the Colts if Joe was at the helm, even with Elliot shanking 3 FGs.

Probably. That '95 defense would have been legendary if they had made any kind of post season run.

Chromatic · 06-07-2015, 11:08 AM

Got to admit, the Montana years were fun as hell. Probably my 2nd favorite time as a fan after 2003.

Dude could still sling fire even in his last year. http://gfycat.com/UnhappyPitifulClownanemonefish

**Rain Man** · 06-07-2015, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chromatic

He says he wishes he hadn't retired so early. I wonder if Joe with the decently stacked 1995 team would have been able to make a good SB run. No way they lose to the Colts if Joe was at the helm, even with Elliot shanking 3 FGs.

No kidding. It kind of makes me want to cry. It would have replaced my lowest point as a chiefs fan with one of the highest points.

Demonpenz · 06-07-2015, 11:34 AM

Sounds like ended his career on time.

Hammock Parties · 06-07-2015, 11:58 AM

HE'S A GOD TO ME

**Easy 6** · 06-07-2015, 02:03 PM

Best QB of all time, no question about it.

I was so thrilled to have him here.

tecumseh · 06-07-2015, 02:39 PM

Not coming from a football family, yet going to a football obsessed high school, one of my classmates showed me a photo of an unknown to me, Joe Montana on the cover of SI. He simply pointed to the photo and said, " best QB , ever." So I started paying more attention and JM became my favorite all-time player.

Otter · 06-07-2015, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chromatic

Got to admit, the Montana years were fun as hell. Probably my 2nd favorite time as a fan after 2003.

Dude could still sling fire even in his last year. http://gfycat.com/UnhappyPitifulClownanemonefish

He did it with mediocre receivers as well. Elevated everyone around him. Made me a Chiefs fan.

Damn You Joe!

arrowheadnation · 06-07-2015, 08:32 PM

When your favorite player gets picked up by your favorite team. It was one of the greatest days of my childhood.

GoShox · 06-07-2015, 08:36 PM

I don't know if a topic was made for this, or if it's worth one, but I realized yesterday that the entire 1994 MNF game vs. the Broncos has been on Youtube for about a month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VY2NZsksy8

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-08-2015, 07:26 AM

The one QB trade by the Chiefs worth it's weight in gold.

Everything else = shit.

06-07-2015, 05:32 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $612813	Montana still has his place as the coolest guy in the room Montana still has his place as the coolest guy in the room It wasn't that long ago — barely four months, in fact — when the debate raged on among football fans. As Tom Brady prepared to lead the New England Patriots to what turned out to be a championship in Super Bowl XLIX, the question came from seemingly all corners. Who is the better quarterback: Brady or Joe Montana? Do you take Brady and his six Super Bowl appearances (and what is now four world championships)? Or is it Montana and his perfect 4-0 record (with no interceptions) in the biggest game on the planet? When Montana made his appearance in the Ozarks on Thursday night for the inaugural 2015 Best of SW Missouri Preps event, I posed to him that question. His answer came back nearly before I could get the question out. Brady or Montana, who's the better quarterback? "Oh, it's obviously me," Montana said with a wry smile. And the thing is, it wasn't a cocky statement, said with an air of arrogance. It was said in typical "Joe Cool" fashion, the same way he conducted himself during a 16-year career where he cemented his place as the best quarterback in the modern era. Arguably, at least. Montana touched on a variety of subjects in a 10-minute interview in one of the side rooms at the University Plaza Convention Center. One of them was the controversy currently surrounding Brady and the Patriots, of the alleged intentional deflating of the footballs to his liking and below the levels mandated by league rules. It resulted in huge penalties for the Patriots, and a four-game suspension for Brady that is still under appeal with the NFL. I asked Montana about those who say you can't tell the difference between such miniscule differences in how much the balls are inflated. Another quick answer, and surprisingly frank. "If you can't tell the difference, you're not a quarterback," Montana said. "It may be a dumb rule, but it was a rule. And I think that's what everybody is trying to figure out: 'Well, it didn't really make any difference.' The thing that hasn't come out yet is how long he's been doing that? "It doesn't take anything away from him, he's a great quarterback." Montana thrilled a crowd of nearly 1,000 that turned out to honor the best of the best on the high school sports scene for the past school year. He posed for photos with the winners, visited with some lucky attendees and went through an extended Q&A session with News-Leader prep sports reporter Rance Burger, and even took questions from fans. It was all off-the-cuff (or at least it seemed to be), and he seemed genuinely excited to help honor the student-athletes in attendance. And though his playing career ended in 1994, he remains a big name to fans of all ages. "It's been 20 years, but it's amazing," he said. "Sometimes there's people you see that are your age that don't have any idea, and then there are kids that you say, 'No way he knows,' but he knows all your stats, and I don't even know those stats." Montana obviously made his name with the 49ers, where he played from 1979-1992 and won four Super Bowls in four trips to the big game. He was named Super Bowl MVP three times. And yet, he ended up requesting a trade when Steve Young came on the scene and it became apparent that he wouldn't be allowed to compete for the starting job. That forced his hand and helped land him in Kansas City in time for the 1993 season, and while he has warm memories of his time with the Chiefs, to this day he wishes it hadn't come to that. "I don't have any regrets about my time in Kansas City," Montana said. "Fortunately for me, it was a great time. We made some great friends, it was a great organization and I had some great teammates. That's what it was all about. "But it never should have happened to begin with. But it is what it is, and you have to learn to move on and make the best of it." The only other regret he had about his career was after his two seasons with the Chiefs. He helped lead Kansas City to the playoffs in both seasons, including a trip to the AFC Championship game his first season there — which remains the last time the franchise has won a playoff game. After the 1994 season, when the team went 9-7 and made a quick playoff exit — a season highlighted by being on the winning side in a much-hyped game against Young and the Niners, Montana decided to step away from the game. And it's a decision he still thinks about. "I just wish I hadn't retired so early," Montana said. With four children at home, it was a health-driven call that he had to make. "It was more of a physical thing than a mental one," he said. "One of the concussions gave me, almost like a pain across my head, like a lightning bolt from one side of my head to the other. "And I was like, 'Oh, I've never felt that before.' My kids were still growing up, and I wanted to be able to enjoy that part of it with them." Yet while today he may look back and regret ending his playing time when he did, and not giving it another couple of seasons, he obviously still loves the game and all it has done for him. He went on to successful careers in the finance field with a couple of former Niners teammates, and currently works in the technology sector, where he even has a video game coming out. He told the story of a teammate whose locker was next to his in Kansas City, and asking this teammate one day what he had on his ankle. It was a house arrest ankle bracelet. So when NFL players — or really athletes or celebrities in general — get into the headlines for the wrong reasons and off-field legal incidents, it isn't a surprise. He holds up his cell phone when the issue comes up. "These things get everybody," Montana said. "People don't realize that you have to watch everywhere you go, because somebody's always got a camera or a video camera, and they're just waiting for you to do something. "There's probably the same amount of incidents in all different professions, it's just not as prevalent because it's not in the press."
Posts: 42,158

06-07-2015, 10:35 AM	#2
OldSchool MVP Join Date: Sep 2013 Casino cash: $10035212	Really cool.
Posts: 12,727

06-07-2015, 10:45 AM	#3
Chromatic Veteran Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Earth Casino cash: $10018551	He says he wishes he hadn't retired so early. I wonder if Joe with the decently stacked 1995 team would have been able to make a good SB run. No way they lose to the Colts if Joe was at the helm, even with Elliot shanking 3 FGs.
Posts: 1,305

06-07-2015, 10:48 AM	#4
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3171616	Good read. It's always interesting when a guy with a profile like Montana pulls the curtain back a touch. I'm going to go ahead and assume Joe had his locker right next to Dale Carter.
Posts: 101,095

06-07-2015, 11:08 AM	#6
Chromatic Veteran Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Earth Casino cash: $10018551	Got to admit, the Montana years were fun as hell. Probably my 2nd favorite time as a fan after 2003. Dude could still sling fire even in his last year. http://gfycat.com/UnhappyPitifulClownanemonefish
Posts: 1,305

06-07-2015, 11:34 AM	#8
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2932136	Sounds like ended his career on time. __________________
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06-07-2015, 11:58 AM	#9
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4410478	HE'S A GOD TO ME __________________ Chiefs game films
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06-07-2015, 02:03 PM	#10
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3427775	Best QB of all time, no question about it. I was so thrilled to have him here.
Posts: 92,032

06-07-2015, 02:39 PM	#11
tecumseh Veteran Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sweet Spot Casino cash: $9990615	Not coming from a football family, yet going to a football obsessed high school, one of my classmates showed me a photo of an unknown to me, Joe Montana on the cover of SI. He simply pointed to the photo and said, " best QB , ever." So I started paying more attention and JM became my favorite all-time player.
Posts: 4,429

06-07-2015, 08:32 PM	#13
arrowheadnation MONTANA #19 Join Date: Mar 2005 Casino cash: $6027357	When your favorite player gets picked up by your favorite team. It was one of the greatest days of my childhood. __________________ Things I need to happen in order to die happy.... KU wins a National Championship....Check! The Royals win a World Series....Check! The Chiefs win a Super Bowl....FINALLY!!!
Posts: 4,226

06-07-2015, 08:36 PM	#14
GoShox Veteran Join Date: Sep 2012 Casino cash: $9918290	I don't know if a topic was made for this, or if it's worth one, but I realized yesterday that the entire 1994 MNF game vs. the Broncos has been on Youtube for about a month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VY2NZsksy8
Posts: 2,004

06-08-2015, 07:26 AM	#15
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	The one QB trade by the Chiefs worth it's weight in gold. Everything else = shit. __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
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