Joe Montana, also known as “Joe Cool,” is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
He led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl victories, and he was named the Most Valuable Player in three of those games.
Joe Montana’s jersey was sold as a part of an auction of Montana’s personal memorabilia collection that lasted for a whole month and included letters of authenticity from Montana himself and/or other outside authenticators
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Joe Montana’s Super Bowl-Winning Jersey Sells for Record $1.212 Million
The jersey worn by Joe Montana during his team’s victories in two Super Bowls has broken the auction record for football jerseys, selling for an impressive $1.212 million, surpassing the previous record of $480,000, which was paid in January 2022 for a Tom Brady jersey from the 2021 Super Bowl-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers.1
Montana first wore the jersey during the Super Bowl XIX match against the Miami Dolphins, which saw the San Francisco 49ers secure the title.
The legendary quarterback also wore the jersey during the Super Bowl XXIII game against the Cincinnati Bengals, which led to the 49ers’ second triumph.
As reported by ESPN, another Montana jersey worn during the Super Bowl XXIV match against the Denver Broncos sold for $720,000 just after midnight on Thursday.
The sale of the jersey was part of a month-long auction of Montana’s personal memorabilia collection, which included authentication letters from the former quarterback himself.
The auction generated over $3.7 million in revenue and featured various items such as Montana’s game-used and signed Notre Dame helmet from the Cotton Bowl on January 1, 1979.
With Tom Brady’s jersey previously holding the record, it is highly probable that the seven-time Super Bowl champion will set a new record with any special items he decides to put up for sale.
However, for now, Joe Montana’s Super Bowl-winning jersey has taken the spotlight and set a new benchmark in the world of football jersey auctions.
The jersey worn by Joe Montana during two Super Bowl victories has sold for $1.212 million, obliterating the record paid for a football jersey at auction, via @espn.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 2, 2023
Joe Montana: Personal Information
| Full Name | Joseph Clifford Montana Jr |
| Birth Date | June 11, 1956 |
| Birth Place | New Eagle, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Nick Name | Bird Legs, Joe Cool, Golden Joe & The Comeback Kid |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Education |
|
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Father’s Name | Joseph Clifford Montana, Sr. |
| Mother’s Name | Theresa Marie Bavuso Montana |
| Siblings | No |
| Age | 66 Years Old |
| Height | 6’2″ /188 cm/ 1.88 m |
| Weight | 93 Kg/205 lb. |
| Shoe Size | 8 x 11 |
| Hair Color | Grey |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Marital Status | Married |
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Items In Montana’s Personal Memorabilia Collection
The jersey was sold as a part of an auction of Montana’s personal memorabilia collection that lasted for a whole month and included letters of authenticity from Montana himself and/or other outside authenticators.2
- The following items were featured as part of that collection (all prices shown include the buyer’s premium):
- The signed helmet from Joe Montana’s final game with the 49ers, which he did not play in but still wore ($121,200) and the uniform that Montana wore in his final game with the team, which he played in ($232,800)
- The football that he completed his final touchdown pass in San Francisco ($43,214).
- His signed Kansas City Chiefs jersey from his final game in the National Football League, which sold for $92,400.
- The price of Montana’s high school jersey, which was $36,000.
- His blazer from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which cost $36,000, and bust, which cost $14,401.
- His Super Bowl XXIII “Last Drive” playbook that has been “twice autographed and inscribed” is worth $10,200.
- More than $3.7 million was made from the things that were sold at the 94-lot auction. One of the items that was sold was a game-used and signed Notre Dame helmet that Joe Montana wore during the Cotton Bowl on January 1, 1979.
Joe Montana: Super Bowl Records
Super Bowl XVI – San Francisco 49ers 26, Cincinnati Bengals 213
In Super Bowl XVI, Montana started at quarterback and led the 49ers to a 26-21 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Montana completed 14 of 22 passes for 157 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
He also rushed for 18 yards and one touchdown. His performance earned him the game’s Most Valuable Player award.
Super Bowl XIX – San Francisco 49ers 38, Miami Dolphins 16
Montana’s performance in Super Bowl XIX was nothing short of exceptional. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 331 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also rushed for 59 yards and one touchdown.
The 49ers defeated the Miami Dolphins 38-16, and Montana was named the game’s Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career.
Super Bowl XXIII – San Francisco 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16
Montana’s heroics in Super Bowl XXIII will forever be remembered by 49ers fans. He completed 23 of 36 passes for 357 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
He also rushed for 13 yards. Montana led the 49ers on a 92-yard drive for the game-winning touchdown with only 34 seconds left to play in the game.
His clutch performance earned him his third Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award.
Super Bowl XXIV – San Francisco 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10
Montana’s final Super Bowl appearance was one for the ages. He completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also rushed for 15 yards.
The 49ers crushed the Denver Broncos 55-10, and Montana was named the game’s Most Valuable Player for the third time in his career.
Joe Montana: Super Bowl Stats
| Game | Opp. | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XVI | CIN | 14 | 22 | 63.6 | 157 | 7.1 | 1 | 0 | 100.0 | W 26−21 |
| XIX | MIA | 24 | 35 | 68.6 | 331 | 9.5 | 3 | 0 | 127.2 | W 38−16 |
| XXIII | CIN | 23 | 36 | 63.9 | 357 | 9.9 | 2 | 0 | 115.2 | W 20−16 |
| XXIV | DEN | 22 | 29 | 75.9 | 297 | 10.2 | 5 | 0 | 147.6 | W 55−10 |
| Total | 83 | 122 | 68.0 | 1,142 | 9.4 | 11 | 0 | 127.8 | W−L 4−0 | |
Joe Montana: Nicknames Explored!
Since Montana was able to maintain his composure in pressure situations, he became known as “Joe Cool.”4
He was also given the nickname “Comeback Kid” because of his track record of bringing his teams back from late deficits in games. Because of his extremely skinny legs and short calves, his colleagues in San Francisco jokingly referred to him as “Bird Legs.”
He was known as “Golden Joe” due to the fact that he played in California, also known as “the Golden State.” Moreover, he was featured on a poster that was overlaid in front of the Golden Gate Bridge with the words “The Golden Great.”
In the beginning of his career in the NFL, he participated in a contest held by the San Francisco Chronicle to determine his nickname.
The winner of the contest was “Big Sky,” but another contestant suggested that since “Joe Montana” already sounded like a nickname, Montana needed a real name, and they christened him “David W. Gibson.”
Both of these names were added to the list. Montana had such a strong affinity for the Gibson name that he stencilled it on the wall above his locker.
Television commercials for Joe’s Diner, which are broadcast on the NFL Network, feature Montana in the role of “Joe Clifford,” a pseudonym he created by combining his first and middle names.
Joe Montana: Achievements
Montana’s dedication and remarkable skills on the football field earned him several awards and achievements that have remained unmatched to this day.5
Let’s take a closer look at the honors that he has received throughout his illustrious career.
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award
Montana’s outstanding performance and leadership skills in the Super Bowl matches made him a deserving recipient of the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award not once, not twice, but three times.
This feat is yet to be matched by any other player, making Montana a true legend in the game.
Super Bowl Record for Most Pass Attempts
Montana’s precision and accuracy in throwing the ball made him a vital asset to his team.
He holds the record for the most pass attempts in Super Bowl history, proving his exceptional talent and unwavering determination.
UP NFC Player of the Year
Montana’s impressive display of skills and game intelligence earned him the UP NFC Player of the Year award in 1981. This honor was a testament to his exceptional performance and made him a true inspiration to football enthusiasts worldwide.
AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award
In 1986, Montana suffered a serious injury that threatened to end his career.
However, he bounced back stronger and more determined than ever, earning him the prestigious AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. His resilience and never-give-up attitude continue to inspire players and fans alike.
AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Montana’s unparalleled talent and exceptional gameplay saw him receive the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in 1989. This award cemented his position as one of the greatest players to ever grace the game of football.
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Montana’s contributions to the game of football did not go unnoticed. In 2000, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining a select group of the greatest players to have ever played the game.
Joe Montana: Net Worth 2023
- Joe Montana is a well-known name in the world of American football. His superior skills as a quarterback earned him a flourishing career and a lot of fame.
- But his success did not stop there. Montana’s net worth is estimated to be around $150 million, which he earned not only through football but also through his business ventures.
- Montana started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers in 1979. He led the team to four Super Bowl victories and won the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award three times.
- Montana also played for the Kansas City Chiefs before retiring from football in 1995.
- During his football career, Montana earned a significant amount of money through contracts and endorsements. But his wealth also comes from his ownership of horses and production of wine under the Montagia Label in partnership with Beringer winemaker Ed Sbragia.
- Montana’s real estate holdings also contribute to his wealth. He owns an estate in New York worth $49 million and an 87-acre Calistoga ranch that he purchased for $1.8 million in 1998.
- After retiring from football, Montana did not stop earning.
- He launched a career as a venture capitalist and invested in various companies through his firm Liquid2 Ventures. Some of the companies Joe and Liquid2 have invested in are Pinterest, Airbnb, Robinhood, and GitLab.
- GitLab has been Liquid2’s biggest investment success. Joe and his partners invested $100,000 into GitLab in 2015, when the company was valued at $12 million. Today, GitLab is worth over $6 billion.
- Montana’s luxurious lifestyle is also evident from his purchase of a $2.275 million San Francisco condo in the Marina District in 2015.
Joe Montana: FAQs
1. Who is Joe Montana?
Joe Montana is a legendary American football player and quarterback who is widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the National Football League (NFL).
2. What are some of Joe Montana’s achievements?
Joe Montana led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl victories and was named the Most Valuable Player in three of those games. He has also broken several Super Bowl records and has been inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
3. What is the record price of the Joe Montana jersey sold in the auction?
The jersey worn by Joe Montana during his team’s victories in two Super Bowls was sold for $1.212 million, breaking the previous record of $480,000, which was paid in January 2022 for a Tom Brady jersey from the 2021 Super Bowl-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
4. What were Montana’s achievements in his Super Bowl games?
Montana started as quarterback and led the 49ers to victories in two Super Bowls – Super Bowl XVI against the Cincinnati Bengals and Super Bowl XIX against the Miami Dolphins. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 157 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions in Super Bowl XVI and completed 24 of 35 passes for 331 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in Super Bowl XIX. Montana was named the game’s Most Valuable Player in both games.
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