Legendary NFL quarterback Joe Montana has mostly liked to keep out of the public eye since retiring from the league.
While plenty of the game’s other legendary quarterbacks have pursued post-football careers in television, Montana has mostly stayed out of the public spotlight.
However, the legendary San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has reportedly made it clear where he stands politically. Montana is reportedly a longtime Republican donor.
He previously made it clear that he didn’t love players protesting during the national anthem.
“Back when I was playing, or before, you didn’t have all the media outlets that are available to all these guys. Play the game. Go do your other stuff on social media outside of that, no matter what sport it is,” he told TIME in 2018.
Montana also questioned Colin Kaepernick’s ability in the same interview:
If you look at a lot of the guys who come out of those read-option type systems, they have great first years. You can go back to RGIII, [it’s] the same thing: Once [defenses] get it figured out, those guys aren’t used to playing in the pocket and seeing defenses from inside, and being accurate at the same time. It’s a little bit easier now maybe for those guys because they’ve taken away some of that hitting that usually takes place late in the pocket. But you have to be accurate to be in there. During those years he was struggling, he was in the low 50s and 40s in completion percentage.
Perhaps we’ll hear Montana speaking out ahead of the 2024 presidential election, set for this November.
Joe Montana breaks down everything Super Bowl 2024, Brock Purdy’s rise, career memories
Hall of Fame quarterback and MVP for three of his four Super Bowl titles, 49ers legend Joe Montana takes a timeout for some Super Bowl 2024 Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: Analyze Brock Purdy for me.
A: I don’t like the words everybody uses as a “game manager,” but I think one of the things he has done early is figured out the offense, what his job and role is in it. And that he has these weapons around him that he needs to take advantage of. He doesn’t make a lot of big mistakes, which is huge for that position, as everyone knows, but in the most part, he’s having fun it looks like, first of all. But he’s just doing what Kyle [Shanahan, coach] is expected of him. People just say, “Well, he had all these weapons around him, it makes a difference,” but I don’t think so. I think you look at his demeanor, you look at his delivery of balls, his accuracy, his touch — he has everything going for him. And his mobility also. He’s not a runner, but he can get out and run if he has to. But when he moves, he’s looking down the field. He wants to get the ball down there. I think he’s been doing a great job. Everybody said, “Well, we’ll see what happens this year after last year.” But here he is. I think they found a diamond.
Q: Do you think he has a Mr. Irrelevant chip on his shoulder?
A: If you just look at his temperament on the field, things you see when he speaks, I don’t think so. I just think he was in a position where he just wanted an opportunity to play. I think what this proves is the NFL just hadn’t figured out yet what the draft is all about, right? There were so many mistakes in the early rounds and so many good things happen in the later rounds. You just can’t figure it out. You just don’t know who’s going to make that transition, and he’s a perfect example of it.
Q: Do you think there’s less pressure on him than Patrick Mahomes?
A: No, I think it’s equal on both sides. This is the biggest game, this is what they play for, so I don’t think the pressure’s any different on either side of the ball on either team there. Yeah. He wants to win one, and so does Mahomes. … I go, “Did you ever see a kid who’s never had candy, and you give him candy for the first time. Now that’s all he wants: “I just want more candy.” And that’s kind of where Mahomes is. Brock is in position where he wants that candy now. He wants to have a taste of that.
Q: What advice would you have for him playing in his first Super Bowl?
A: I always liked to get hit early, just to remind you you’re in the game, and it’s just another game. Once you get out there, all this stuff the last two weeks — and leading up to the game is the worst part. They already have been ready to play last Sunday, both teams. But all he has to do is what he’s been doing. Don’t do anything different. Just be yourself and let things happen, don’t try to make things happen. They’ll show up for you.
Q: What was your pregame routine before your first Super Bowl, vs. the Bengals following the 1981 season?
A: I didn’t use a lot of tape like on my ankles. I just got quick wraps, so I didn’t take a lot of time to get ready. So I went on the last bus. And I typically would get up, have a little bit of breakfast and then just wait until the last bus and go then. That was the last time I did it though. We were on the way to the stadium [Pontiac Silverdome] and traffic stopped. The vice president we didn’t know was landing, so they stopped everybody so we were sitting out there. And we were there for a long time. I said, “Don’t worry guys, we still have a lot of time.” And (laugh) typical Bill [Walsh], he stood up and said after a while, he goes, “Look guys, I got good news for you: The game has started, we’re ahead, Chico scored a touchdown and Bronco kicked the extra point,” and those were our two equipment managers.
Q: Describe the emotions you felt hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the first time that night, after a 26-21 win in Super Bowl XVI.
A: You almost can’t describe it. There’s such a relief, and such an excitement … and then unfortunately for you it’s over (laugh). Game’s over. The way it happened for me is that we won, I won the MVP, but I didn’t think I played that well, as well as I should have. So it was a little bit of a downer too, where my dad came in, I was in the training room eating a cheeseburger (laugh) to get away from the media got a little bit. He looked at me, he was all happy, and he goes, “What’s a matter?” I go, “I just didn’t feel like I played the way … ” He goes, “You know what? Would you shut up? Finish your cheeseburger and get out there and have fun. You just won the Super Bowl and you won the MVP. What else do you want?”
Q: How do you see the Shanahan-Andy Reid coaching matchup?
A: Well, obviously Andy’s been there and Kyle’s been there — unfortunately on the other side of it, but I don’t see Kyle making those mistakes that he made last time. Andy’s got it down: You just turn it over to Mahomes.
Q: What are your thoughts on Shanahan?
A: He’s done a great job. The problem is everybody blames him on some of the things that happened back then [as Falcons offensive coordinator when they blew a 28-3 lead in a 34-28, overtime loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI], but you know your player [Atlanta QB Matt Ryan] has to understand too that he can’t make that mistake, in taking that sack. He has to know. Even if you have to try to intentional ground it, you got to try to get rid of that ball.
