This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/19/2016
Every so often, perhaps only once in a generation, a player, team or coach comes along with an innovative approach that redefines how the game is played. University of Stanford coach Bill Walsh was just such an innovator, creating a revolutionary new offense that he brought to the NFL as Head Coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Walsh's scheme was a complete departure of conventional wisdom, flying in the face of traditional "smash-mouth" football by prioritizing a short, horizontal passing attack to stretch the defense out, opening up options for longer running plays and longer passes that can achieve greater gains. By making offensive play calling unpredictable, defenders were forced to account for a multitude of possible offensive plays rather than focusing aggressively on one likely play from the offense. It sounded good in theory, but such an unorthodox game plan needed an equally unorthodox signal-caller. The traditional drop-back passer needed to be replaced by someone with outstanding mobility who can complete short routes with pinpoint accuracy, read defenses on the fly, evaluate all available options at an instant and make quick decisions under constant pressure. Walsh and the 49ers decided on who would be the right man for the job and bypassed projected superstars Jack Thompson, Phil Simms and Steve Fuller to draft Joe Montana with the last pick of the 3rd round in the 1979 NFL draft. Montana's agility, uncanny accuracy and ability to perform under pressure at Notre Dame made him a perfect fit for Walsh's new offensive scheme, and the "West Coast Offense" propelled the 49ers to four Super Bowl Championships, earning Montana the nickname “Joe Cool” and a place in Canton’s NFL Hall of Fame. Presented is one of the finest Joe Montana jerseys known, a white mesh gamer graded a perfect 10 by MEARS and dated to the first three seasons of Montana's incredible career. Moderate wear indicative of a quarterback is evident, with the Wilson size 44 label appearing on the front left tail and number "16" screened on the chest, back and shoulder areas. "Montana" has been screened onto rear nameplate in three-inch block. There's a certain understated elegance to its simple red and white design, and this incredible garment of arguably the greatest quarterback ever to step on the professional gridiron is complete, unaltered and original with rock-solid authentication! Full LOA from Troy Kinunen - MEARS with a grade of A10.