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Joe Montana

Joe Montana is an American former professional football quarterback best known for his 14 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and later stint with the Kansas City Chiefs.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Joe Montana is an American former professional football quarterback best known for his 14 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and later stint with the Kansas City Chiefs. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, winning four Super Bowls and three Super Bowl MVP awards.

Early life and college career

Montana was born in New Eagle, Pennsylvania, and played college football at Notre Dame. He helped Notre Dame win a national championship before entering the NFL.

NFL career

Montana was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft. He played 14 seasons with the 49ers before joining the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993. He finished his career with 40,551 passing yards and 273 touchdown passes.

Championships and honors

He won four Super Bowls and was named Super Bowl MVP three times, a record at the time. He also earned two NFL MVP awards and was selected to multiple Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams.

Legacy

Montana is commonly ranked among the greatest quarterbacks in football history. His late-game comebacks and composure under pressure made 'Joe Cool' one of the sport's most recognizable nicknames.

Key facts

  • Won four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers
  • Named Super Bowl MVP three times
  • Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000
  • Known as 'Joe Cool' for his calm play under pressure
  • Finished career with 40,551 passing yards and 273 touchdown passes

Frequently asked questions

Who is Joe Montana?
Joe Montana is a retired American NFL quarterback best known for leading the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl titles.
What teams did Joe Montana play for?
He played for the San Francisco 49ers and later the Kansas City Chiefs.
How many Super Bowls did Joe Montana win?
He won four Super Bowls, all with the San Francisco 49ers.
How many times was Joe Montana named Super Bowl MVP?
He was named Super Bowl MVP three times.
When was Joe Montana inducted into the Hall of Fame?
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

References

  1. Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Joe-Montana
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, career overview, Super Bowl wins, Super Bowl MVP awards, passing statistics, nickname.
  2. Pro Football Hall of Famehttps://www.profootballhof.com/players/joe-montana
    Supports: Draft selection, teams, career achievements, Hall of Fame induction, career records, awards.
  3. San Francisco 49ershttps://www.49ers.com/news/5-things-to-know-joe-montana-fun-facts-nickname-super-bowls-street-catch-wife
    Supports: Draft position, Super Bowl wins, Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections, career statistics, nickname, records.
  4. ESPNhttps://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/6445/joe-montana
    Supports: Position, birthdate, birthplace, college.