Joe Montana was a lightly regarded third round draft pick of the San Francisco 49’ers in 1979. However, he utilized every bit of his physical talent, and combined with an unflappable demeanor became one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Montana led the 49’ers to four Super Bowls in the 80’s and earned the nickname “Joe Cool” as he became the gold standard for quarterbacks.
Recently a clip from the “Joe Montana: Cool Under Pressure” television series made daily life much harder for married men everywhere. While many of us are too busy (we say) to even return a text message, Joe Montana figured out how to get an outside line during games and call his wife, just to say, “I love you”. Thanks Joe! Total Pro Sports reports:
The ultra-demanding career of being an NFL quarterback wasn’t enough to prevent NFL icon Joe Montana from contacting his wife during games.
In an episode of the “Joe Montana: Cool Under Pressure” television series, the four-time Super Bowl champion and his wife, Jennifer, recalled a heartwarming moment where he called her from the sidelines during a game.
Apparently, Joe would check to see if there was an outside line at the stadiums. He then would call Jennifer to let her know that he loved her.
.@JoeMontana used to call his wife from the sideline phone in the middle of games 😂 (via @NFLFilms) pic.twitter.com/mz1WEasbLO
— NFL (@NFL) February 23, 2023
That’s not an impossible standard at all! Speaking for most married men, we accept that we all fall short in the attention department. Sometimes the ladies have an impossibly high level of expectation. I blame Hollywood rom coms. Joe Montana revealing that he called his wife during games sets a comically high bar for “regular” Joe’s everywhere. Breitbart added:
Hall of Famer and 49er legend Joe Montana revealed that he eventually figured out stadium telephones had the ability to call outside the facility simply by pressing “9,” then the number.
Montana decided to call in the middle of the game. And who did he call? He called his wife to tell her that he loved her.
As Montana’s wife recalls, “‘I’m calling to say I love you.’ And I go, ‘I love you. How are you calling?’ He goes, ‘They have an outside line.”
Joe and Jennifer got married in 1985, and they have four children together — two sons and two daughters. Joe was previously married twice.
Montana had an uncanny ability to compartmentalize and keep things on the field in perspective. The moment was never too big for him, and doing things like calling his wife or cracking jokes was how he managed to keep focused and stay cool in any circumstance.
One very famous moment during the Super Bowl against the Bengals is the stuff of legend. As the team was facing a long field with little time to win the game, Joe pointed out famous actor John Candy in the crowd. That distracted the team from the pressure of the moment, and the rest is Super Bowl history.
On January 22, 1989, with 3:20 remaining in the Super Bowl and the 49ers pinned at their own 8-yard-line on the wrong end of a 16-13 score, San Francisco’s Harris Barton became enraged that they were in such a bad position and in danger of losing the championship to the Bengals.
How did Montana handle this ultra-stressful situation? He pointed out actor John Candy in the crowd.
What a story that was. Joe Montana being the coolest in the most tense situation.
The John Candy drive happened on this day in 1989. pic.twitter.com/h2YPnS3utw
— #Random49ers (@Random49ers) January 22, 2022
Pointing out John Candy (RIP) is one thing, making life harder for every married man is another! Joe Montana hasn’t played in almost 30 years, but he is still Joe Cool. Instead of making life hard for defenses, he is now making it hard for inattentive men everywhere. Thanks Joe!
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