On this day in 1997: The 49ers retire Joe Montana's iconic #16

Sport360 staff 13:40 15/12/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • In 1979, Joe Montana’s illustrious career began at San Francisco spanning 14 seasons since first winning a college national championship at Notre Dame. His time in the West Coast is subject of envy as he won four Super Bowls, becoming the first-ever player to win the Super Bowl MVP thrice.

    He holds Super Bowl career records for most passes without a single interception with 122 in four games and boasts the all-time highest quarterback rating of 127.8.

    It was his ability to remain composed and calm under immense pressure which helped his teams to 31 fourth quarter comeback wins, famously throwing game-winning touchdown passes in the dying embers of the 1981 NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl XXIII.

    The 49ers eventually retired his iconic number 16 in 1997. However, the Comeback Kid also featured for the Kansas City Chiefs, leading the franchise to an unprecedented AFC Championship Game in January 1994.

    ESPN named the multiple award-winning quarterback as the 25th greatest athlete of the 20th century while Sports Illustrated rated hm as the number one clutch quarterback of all-time.

    More memorable moments on this day:

    2005: Celtic completed the signing of Roy Keane, who had been released from his Manchester United contract.

    2008: Sachin Tendulkar hits emotional 41st Test hundred as India recorded fourth-highest chase in Test history to defeat England in Chennai.

    2014: Ally McCoist resigns as Rangers manager and enters 12-month notice period on the same day the club and Mike Ashley are accused of breaching Scottish Football Association rules.

    2015: Rory McIlroy’s domination of the European Tour Golfer of the Year Award continued with third triumph in four seasons.

    Recommended