A Master of Football. 4 rings in the 80's. Created the Legend Jerry Rice, and his nice Supporting cast has helped him to his Legendary Status. His true testoment was going to KC and making it to the playoffs and wining in the first round. The Comeback King, Montana never lost pose and nearly always won. #1 QB!

Before you claim that he was a system quarterback, before you claim he had HOF teammates, before you claim he was lucky to have one of the most brilliant offensive minds ever as a head coach (all true) consider that Joe's stats in playoffs and Super Bowls are terrific. He played hurt and won big games when it mattered most. . .amazing player.

Why are people still mentioning Marino, all he had were his records. And where are they now? somewhere in the emergency room cuz they've all been beaten. Bottom line is,"GREAT QB's WIN SUPER BOWLS". nuff said.

Joe could pull a big play out of his ass whenever he needed to.

UPDATE: Psst... to the haters, Marino only set records because he had no running game and Elway didn't win anything worth speaking of until Terell Davis arrived. Montana has four rings, Elway two, and Marino... none. You can "what if" all you like and the score remains.

Overrated!! Besides Troy Aikman and Terry Bradshaw, I can't think of another quarterback who benefited more from being drafted by the team that selected him. Montana had at least a top 5 defense almost EVERY year he started for the 49ers. What other QB can say that? Let's not forget he also had the revolutionary (at the time) west coast offense to use, and always had a good running game to work with. I gave him 3 stars because while he was great, he was great because he was drafted by the 49ers. The guy simply gets too much individual credit for winning 4 Super Bowls, when he won them because the 49ers always had a great team around him. Hell, if Elway or Marino would have had the advantages Montana had with San Fransisco, they could have won 7 or 8 rings each. I'm not saying he's bad by any means... just overrated.

not even a pro arm - succeeded solely because of the system and starts around him - steve young's numbers were far superior with the same team around him

Someone down there wrote "Give me Dan Marino any day". Well I gotta day for you buddy. How about January 20th 1985. This is all i need to say when it comes to rating the best quarterback ever.Now don't get me wrong I love Marino too. When it comes to the best regular season quarterback Marino is hands down the best of his time. There is not even any competion to Marino besides Favre and Manning, but Favre throws too many interceptions, and Manning is still on his way.Elway was good too and does deserve to be mentioned but he didn't become a champion till he finally handed the responsibilty to TD and that running game. Not like Joe Montana though. Joe is the best because like all GREAT players he was at his best in the clutch. In 4 superbowls this man never threw an interception. Not one. There are quarterbacks who can't go 4 series' without throwing an interception. Joe Montona was the epitamy of coolness under pressure.So I say to you Marino fan give me Marino on a day I want to set records, but on a day I want to win a championship give me the best there has ever been at that position Joe Montana.

When the proverbial question comes up concerning who was the greatest NFL quarterback ever, the two most prominent names mentioned are Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana (and deservedly so). But to say one is better than the other often sparks heated debate. But if Johnny Unitas was arguably known for his toughness and athleticism, Joe Montana was quite possibly the most intelligent quarterback to lace-up his cleats- and definitely the greatest quarterback both in the big games and the greatest moments. Moreover, Montana was simply the greatest at the clutch, as few others could match his ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Anyone remember the 'Drive to Glory' against the Boomer Esiason led Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII with 42 seconds to go? Yes, the legendary Johnny U is one of the great icons in professional football lore. However, Joe Montana is professional football's greatest winner (and both deserving as the NFL's all-time quarterbacks).

The "Comeback Kid". Joe won in college, pros anywhere the guy played he won, for crying out loud the guy brought the Chiefs to the AFC Championship Game in the twlight of his career. Al Davis would have loved to have Joe on his team because Joe would "Just Win, Baby!".

How many wives did this guy divorce and beat anyway?

The ultimate field general

Get's too much credit dudes. Give me Dan Marino any day over Montana. He wouldn't even go to the SuperBowl unless he got paid, what a stuck up dude.

he was the best qb ever

IMO, he is the best QB of all time. If Dan Marino won a SB ring, maybe that honor would go to him, but he doesn't and I give the title to Montana. He was responsible for 4 of the 49ers 5 SB wins in franchise history. The guy was just amazing.

te only ever quarterback to win 4 superbowls

Montana is simply the essence of what a Legend is. When I look at a NFL QB, Stats aren't as important as how he commands the offense. Bottom line, The QB controls the whole offense and is the glue that holds it together (not the RB, not the O-Line, not the O-coordinator....NO!). If the QB can't command the team in all aspects (poise, mental awareness, physical strentgh, decision making and raw talent), then He is not and should not be considered the greatest QB. You have to have them all and Joe Montana has/had it all.

Some stream of consciousness divinations on the matter...It's Montana, due respect, Johnny U-nite-us...but Joe even bested the coolest QB NAME! So Cool a city in Montana even changed its' name...but seriously, the 4 Supes, the 3 that should've been 4 Super Bowl MVP's (if he'd chosen to spread the ball around a little more this way or that, Rice doesn't set a Bowl record for yards, and Joe goes 4 for 4 in MVPs)...like several of you have already said, the genius of Walsh aside, the Niners weren't sh--, til Montana arrived--defeating Marino, and Elway, what, twice? 55-10? Talent discrepancy aside, can anyone honestly fathom Joe Montana getting whupped 55-10, in a Super Bowl? Some other tidbits: Roger Fumble-Craig doesn't pull that number in the Championship game, Niners already up, late...the Giants don't likely dominate Buffalo the whole super bowl only to watch scott norwood miss that 41yder...no, likely what would've been was a 5th Joe Montana SuperBowl victory, and a spanking of big dance wilter Buffalo...also, I remember a Monday nighter in the middle 90's, Denver vs. KC? The Drive-master, Elway, in one of those last to touch it wins it games, drives em down, late, last minute, for the go ahead score...only there are some number of seconds left, and OLD Joe, #19, leads drop happy kc to around the four yard line, and throws a zippy out for the winner...stealing one, in the only such match up between the two that the Niners didn't seem to have the upper hand...or Montana in his last game as a niner, blowing a bet my father had on the lions (who were beating the spread), by coming in late and driving for Touchdowns...or Montana taking money out of my father's hands again, in the playoffs, against the steelers, against the wind, literally and figuratively...we were at the lions playoff game against the cowboys, before they started winning superbowls again, 1991-1992, was the year...dad had seen the first half play, and remarked, "I dunno, Chris...its like he almost got old during the game"...yeah...and on 4th and goal from the ten, it's touchdown toss time, a Championship game awaits, hey look, is that JOHN CANDY again?!?! The man had a reptilian Central Nervous System...so Cold blooded-cool he treated his exwife to a beautiful night on the town and under the moonlight only to notify her of their impending divorce the next day. He's Joe MONTANA, baby...and as for Elway, Mr. 0-3, and pondering retirement...resurrected by Terrell Davis and the 2,000yd season (whichever year it was, the focus had changed, and rightly so)...He got the one, and decided to come back cuz they could win a second, and so they did...but few, hell, NO ONE but myself has ever mentioned, during that first superbowl win, against the Packers? Late, down some points...Elway threw a Choke pass in the red if not the endzone, I believe, that got dropped, by the defender...an interception, easy, opportunity lost, reprieve for Elway...whose Bronco's went on to win it...but that defender catches that ball, and I am telling you...0-4....and no reason perhaps, to return...and if so, and he won it, 1-4....not like going 4-0, 3MVP (deserving of 4), 11TD's, 0 int's...and hell, even I forgot he won TWO before mr. third person (Jerry Rice, always refers to himself in the...) arrived...oh, and, anyone ever see a replay of that college game, against the Cougars? From sickbay, after the half, ...you talk about come backs....just curious...those 31 4th quarters....where do they rank? And either way, aren't they indicative of his import, great team or not?

i dont know why people are comparing tom brady to JM cos there aint and never will be a "BETTER" QB than MONTANA! LEGEND

After analyzing every conceivable performance measure for NFL quarterbacks, I conclude that Joe Montana, John Elway, and Johnny Unitas are the top 3 of all time - the NFL's QB Triumvirate, the top tier of the Elite. When all is said and one and all the results are in, other NFL quarterbacks come close (Graham, Young, Favre, Marino, Staubach, Starr, Bradshaw, Baugh); but Montana, Elway, and Unitas - each in his own unique way - are unsurpassed in their accomplishments on the gridiron. Raw statistics are one important measure, but they are not the final arbiter, not the true measure of greatness. Fact is, it's not hard to find other quarterbacks, many non-Hall-of-Famers, who had better QB ratings, more passing TDs, more yards, and higher completion percentages than Monta, Elway, Unitas and other all-time greats. But who had more Super Bowl victories and performed better in the big games than Cool Joe? Who won more NFL games, more championships combined (SB, conference, divisional), and more comeback victories than the magician Elway? And who was a superior field commander and played the game with more grit and grandeur than Johnny U? Uncontestably, Joe Montana now stands at the pinnacle of the Hall of Fame Elite. As for Elway, you will be hard-pressed to find another Hall of Fame quarterback who played all phases of the game with more athleticism, competitiveness, power, and endurance. Come on students of the game, learn how to interpret the signs of true greatness.

Clutch, cool, calm, confident, and poised, he was the man!

Joe Montana 4 super bowls, 4 rings 11 touchdowns, 0 int 3 super bowl MVPs 127.8 passer rating (which is the kind of QB rating you will only see again when a top QB for some college team like USC or Oklahoma is pounding some college like Southeastern Backwater State 60-3). He is also the author of 31 4th quarter comebacks. You can't say he did it because of a system like the West Coast Offense. Is Michael Jordan a bum because he played in Phil Jackson's Triangle Offense? 49er offensive coach Mike Holmgren says it didn't work until the right QB came along, Joe Montana. Many one-hit wonders came along, like the Jim McMahon Chicago Bears, and Phil Simms' NYGiants, but teams adjusted. Still, year after year, teams saw teh 49ers and knew what was coming, but were confounded by Joe Montana. And Montana was no sissy, either. . .who can forget him coming back to the 49ers after major back surgery to win 2 more Super Bowls, or him playing another time with the bursa sac on his elbow swollen up so much it looked like a cantaloupe was hanging off his elbow? Don Shula, Mike Holmgren, Bill Walsh and others who have coached Hall-Of-Fame QBs of their own agree that Montana was the best. Jerry Rice, the greatest receiver ever, said the same thing, and complained about Steve Young for years because Montana read the field better, was more accurate, and threw a more catchable ball. John Elway didn't win until he embraced the team concept and let Terrell Davis carry some of the load. Marino was prob the best passer and had the quickest release ever, but had too big an ego to fit into anyone's system and ran two of the game's greatest coaches off the field and into retirement (Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson). Montana understood team in the beginning, and ran the field like a coach himself. Thanks for the memories Joe.

I think that Montana are 1 and 1A in the greatest quarterbacks of all-time (with a possible nod to Otto Graham). At their best, they played like they came down from a higher league.

Much more key to 49ers dynasty than Rice.

Watching Joe play was always a pleasure. His grace under pressure was amazing. He's the passer to take when the pressure was greatest.

the best quarterback for the sf 49ers. i hated when he went to the chiefs it just wasnt the same

In my eyes best quarter back that ever lived. He had it all but speed, but his extreme skill made up for all fault which were few and far fetched.

A very in-depth QB who could call a defensive action just by the linemens setups. It is arguable though, that if he didn't have the team he did, he wouldn't have been half as great. Even Steve Young did better statistically then montana, why, because they both passed for the same team.

One of many great Notre Dame quarterbacks!

Again, what puts joe in line for the all time greatest qb award? passing yards, superbowl rings, td's? none of that alone... he stands at the top of the heap because of all that AND his ability to come from behind... there is no better measurement of greatness than an ability to win when you are down...

An incredible quarterback who had the gifted ability to make the big play when the game was on the line.

oh please, JOE MONTANA was the best to ever play the position, i have this argument w/ my uncle and brother, who make every excuse in the world for marino. marino was a great passer, and i would say he had a great/greatest arm of anyone in the nfl.....but montana was the better quarterback, he played the position and knew the game better than anyone. it's like comparing a brawler and a boxer, and most boxing experts agree, the boxer usually wins. anyways, for everyone riding the JERRY RICE excuse.....first things first, marino had some excellant recievers himself (the mark's brothers, and they made him look good many times climbing invisable ladders to catch balls) and elway had the 3 amigos (who were an excellant trio as well).....montana won 2.....2.....once again,2 superbowls w/o jerry rice (i think rice was still in high school when he won his first).....joe took over a team that was considered the joke of the league, they were 2-14 before joe and were consistantly bad, when joe took over (only adjustment made was montana) they win the SB his first yr as the starter, then another (against marino who outside the first qt, didn't look like he belonged as a qb)....rice was just icing on the cake, and rice bennefitted from acurate, percise passing where he never had to lay his body out (like cris carter for example) and get injured, or break stride to adjust (and slow down) which made his job that much easier (just catch it and keep running w/o slowing down).....the west coast off is not simple and qb friendly, which is why so many teams dropped it , they did not have as holmgren says the qb to run it, short quick,timing passes require much more skill than it looks, beside accurate reads of def, audibles, and percision....elway tried it for a season or two and stunk, they were even booing him at mile high, they switched up to a run first off, and terell davis became the man....elway is a qb i feel was great, and he couldn't run it. when he went to KC, even as an old man he was a winner (KC has not won a post seasn game since montana retired) and all i needed to see his first season there was, that if he was not so injury prone, he would have at least took an avg (and offensively they were avg at best) team to the superbowl,lol, even as an old man......one more thing, joe also won championships in college and high school.....the teams couldn't buy a win until he showed up.....he is either the luckiest guy alive.....or that freaking good.....incase you didn't figure it out.....he is the best hands down

a team leader and a fantastic Quarterback.

Best QB ever

system system system

You can't debate his greatness and his gaudy post-season record. I'll venture an opinion and say he was one of the top-3 quarterbacks of all time (Elway and Unitas the others), but only one of the top-10 passers ever. Does that make sense? For example, Elway, Dan Marino, Dan Fouts, Randall Cunningham and Joe Namath (in his prime) were great passers who can lay a 60 yard bomb right on the numbers, in stride. Most of Montana's lofty numbers came by virtue of Jerry Rice taking an 8-yard slant and breaking it for a 70-yard score. He benefitted by the skewness in passing statistics as a result of the West Coast Offense. Still, if I wanted one QB to run my two minute drill, it would be Montana -- who was totally clutch. I will also give him credit for nearly taking the Chiefs to the Super Bowl in the twi-light of his career.

Dan Marino is the greatest NFL quarterback of all time. He holds almost every NFL passing record. And to those who argue about rings....you don't win Superbowls by yourself...it is a TEAM sport. Montana simply was on better teams than Marino, but Marino was a better QB.

Montana was the best Ever. People are giving him lower stars because of Rice but what these idiots don't realize is Rice was drafted in 1985. Montana had already won 2 Superbowls!!! Dwight Clark is not much help to a QB.

THE GREATEST...OF THEM ALL!!! This one isn't even a question. Its just a mere fact that sticks...Joe Montana did it all. Joe Montana won games, broke records, had 4 rings!! What else could you ask for...Mr.COOL JOE!!

Western Pennsylvania Winner.

best ever at his position..has the stats,the rings and the acolades to back it up.

Dan Marino who the greatest players find a way to win and the greatest players have championship rings. All you have to is look at his hand. Oh i am a cowboys fan so i am saying this with no bios

Proabably the most overrated QB. Which great player did I throw the ball to on this play?

It is very hard to name the best Quarterbacks ever because there are so many. But Joe Montana would be the best. Not only did he win 4 Super Bowls but threw zero interceptions. He won the first two SB's without a great receiver, Dwight Clark was average at best. #16 JOE MONTANA

Set the standard for quarterbacks. Talent and class. What more could you ask for?

no explanation needed

has the rings

The greatest QB to ever play the game. No one even comes close. How can you argue with 5 rings??? Simply the best... His receivers were average and made great by his accuracy. Came from best college in history... N.D.!!!!

His gunslinger name fit the cool, caculating manner in which he shot down opposing defenses, It was part of the Joe Montana charisma, a mystique that permeated the NFL for 15 successful seasons. He was the blond, blue-eyed kid from Notre Dame who revived a franchise, carved out a Super Bowl legacy and built a reputation as the greatest pressure quarterback of all time. Montana was a football surgeon, an artist who could carve up a defense with patience and relentless precision. His arm strength and speed were only slightly above average, but his quick feet and quicker mind were perfect matches for San Francisco and coach Bill Walsh's complicated short-passing offense. He had a sixth sense that allowed him to evade rushers and he could throw on the run with uncanny, mistake-free accuracy. Montana who piled up big yardage, high completion percentage and victories while throwing to Jerry Rice and a host of other talented receivers in the 1980's might have combined all aspects of quarterback play better than anyone in history. He was a great passer (40,551 yards in his career, 5772 more in post season), a dangerous scrambler (1676 yards, 20 touchdowns), a masterful play-caller and an unquestioned leader. Montana took the postseason-starved 49ers to four Super Bowls, won them all and claimed a record three Super Bowl game MVPS. He threw 122 Super Bowl passes without an interception and posted a record six 300-yard postseason passing games. The image of Montana executing a near-perfect drive in the final moments of a big game will forever be etched in the fabric of NFL History. Super Joe led 31 fourth-quarter comeback victories, including playoffs and his late-game heroics lifted teammates to higher performance levels. With a game on the line, Montana had no peer. When the eight time Pro Bowl selection left San Francisco after an almost two-year layoff with elbow problems, he came back and led Kansas City to the AFC championship game before retiring in 1994. Joe Montana: 49ers - 1979 - 1992, Chiefs - 1993 - 1994. Joe would soon be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

He is good but it wasn't just him that made the 49ers good along with him came Jerry Rice and some very good line men one offense and defense

4-0 In Super Bowls!

joe montana was an average quarterback. he shouldn't be on this list. he had great recievers.

Everyone forgets that the 49ers were a 1-15 team with NO history when Joe Montana came aboard. Even Bill Walsh had a terrible year pre-Montana. Joe Montana MADE that system great--and revolutionized the position (and the game). Believe it or not, Joe is actually UNDERRATED. That whole system was built around Montana's talents. Bill Walsh was a genius because he was the first to ever envision Joe Montana football. Jerry Rice was the best receiver ever, but, he might not have been without Joe. Joe made everyone around him better- just ask Jerry. If his last Super Bowl team was so talented, his early super bowl teams were almost no-names. ... Everyone forgets ... Joe Montana is absolutely the Greatest Player in modern football.

joe montana is the greatest ever for now,,,,,,,but watch out for tom brady!!!

He's the greatest.

Joe knows Super Bowls. He is very close to Unitas as the greatest QB of all time.

The most overrated quarterback of all time.

One of the best NFL quarterbacks, bar-none. Certaintly brought the 49ers and the Chiefs to many victories.

Though frequently overrated, still one of the best.

BEST QB EVER!

Montana is considered by most fans as the best ever simply cause his of 4 rings. That is all they look at. Sure this guy was great and deserves all the credit he gets but come on, look at the supporting cast he had. He probably played with the best supporting cast ever. People can make a case for the Cowboys of the early 90's but the late 49er's team was simply loaded everywhere you looked. Yes you can't take away from his clutch performances in the Super Bowl but do you really think if you stuck Dan Marino in Montana's place, he wouldn't have excelled also and just win ring after ring? Sure one of the greatest, but i think people judge way too much on rings and ignore all the circumst