Past Venue: County Stadium

Milwaukee, WI



Year opened: 1953
Capacity: 54,187 at highest, up from 36,011 at opening

Names:
Milwaukee County Stadium, 1953-2001

Pro football tenants:
Green Bay Packers (NFL), 1953-94 (select games)

Postseason games hosted:
NFL Western Conf. Championship, Packers 28 Rams 7, Dec. 23, 1967

Other tenants of note:
Milwaukee Braves (MLB – NL), 1953-65
Univ. of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (college football), 1968-71
Milwaukee Brewers (MLB – AL), 1970-2000

Notes: Beginning in 1933, Packers played some home games each year in Milwaukee (the practice continued through 1994), with County Stadium the venue from 1953. Also hosted some home games of MLB Chicago White Sox, 1968-69. Playing area was barely large enough to fit a football field and both team benches were on the same sideline. Hosted exhibition matches of NASL Chicago Sting.

Fate: Demolished in 2001, site now serves as a parking lot for Miller Park.

1933: Lone Star Dietz Becomes Head Coach of Braves/Redskins

The franchise currently known as the Washington Redskins started out in 1932 as the Boston Braves, coached by Lud Wray and playing at Braves Field. As was common among early pro football teams, they often adopted the name of the major league baseball franchise that they shared a venue with, and that was the case with co-owner George Preston Marshall’s new club. The team went 4-4-2 and had the NFL’s leading rusher in rookie tailback Cliff Battles. It also lost $46,000 and Marshall’s three partners bailed out, leaving him as sole owner.

On the evening of March 7, 1933 it was announced that the Braves would have a new head coach in William “Lone Star” Dietz, as Wray was leaving to become head coach and co-owner of the newly-created Philadelphia Eagles. In short order, the team shifted its home field to Fenway Park and, with a name change necessary, the club was rechristened the Redskins.

The 48-year-old Dietz (he turned 49 prior to the ’33 season) was certainly an interesting and multi-talented character as well as a college football coach who had enjoyed success. While raised by white parents (his father was German), he was certain that his birth mother was Native American (specifically, Oglala Sioux) and adopted the name Lone Star (newspaper reports at the time of his hiring by the Redskins erroneously indicated that he was a full-blooded American Indian; his actual origins became a source of controversy both during his lifetime and for many years afterward). He attended the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania where he played tackle on the football team that was coached by Glenn “Pop” Warner and featured the legendary Jim Thorpe at running back.

From Carlisle, where he remained as an art instructor for a time (and met his first wife), he went into college coaching, becoming head coach at Washington State College (now University). The football team gained national prominence during Dietz’s tenure, most notably winning an upset victory over Brown in the 1916 Rose Bowl. While in California following that contest, Dietz arranged for the players to be hired as extras for the movie “Tom Brown of Harvard” which launched a separate film career for the flamboyant coach (who became a critic of the film industry’s portrayal of American Indians). Fond of fancy clothes, he sometimes wore formal evening wear while coaching the team – photos of him nattily attired in spats, a tuxedo, and top hat on the sidelines made it into newspapers across the country. Occasionally, he would be accompanied by a Russian wolfhound on a leash.


Beneath the trappings, Dietz had a good football mind. He had a thorough knowledge of Warner’s single-wing offense and was also considered to be an excellent defensive strategist. Most of all, he was an outstanding motivator and often was successful with underdog squads.

During World War I Dietz coached a service team of Marines that also reached the Rose Bowl, but became embroiled in controversy when he was brought up on bogus charges of impersonating an Indian in order to avoid the draft. The first trial ended in a hung jury, but he was indicted again on a similar charge and, his money running out, he pleaded no contest. He served a month in jail, a blot on his record that ended his career at Washington State, where his teams had gone 17-2-1 over three seasons and outscored their opponents by 497-38.

From 1921 to ’26 Dietz was head coach at Purdue, Louisiana Tech, and Wyoming before rejoining his mentor Warner, head coach at Stanford, as coach of the freshman team in 1927. His last stop before coming to the NFL was Haskell Institute in Kansas from 1929 to ’32.

Taking over the Redskins (who may or may not have been so named in his honor), Dietz was joined by five Native American players on the roster. The publicity-minded Marshall had the entire team pose in headdresses and war paint on the first day of practice, and he made much of Dietz’s heritage. There was certainly talent available, with Battles and FB Jim Musick in the backfield and star OT Turk Edwards anchoring the line. Dietz had a penchant for using trick plays which often didn’t work and were resented by some of the players (most notably Battles).

The team again broke even at 5-5-2 to finish third in the Eastern Division in what was the first year of divisional play in the NFL. Musick and Battles finished first and second in the league in rushing with 859 and 767 yards, respectively. They also topped the NFL in yards-per-carry, but in reverse order with Battles averaging an impressive 5.4 yards and Musick 4.7. But in this first year of liberalized passing rules (and a more streamlined ball), the Redskins ranked eighth of the ten teams in passing offense.

Expectations were higher for 1934 thanks to an influx of promising rookies, and there were hopes of challenging the Giants for the division title. But the team again went .500 with a 6-6 record. Musick sat out the season and, while Battles again received All-Pro recognition, he gained fewer rushing yards (480). Edwards was still a bulwark on the line, but overall the team underachieved.

While the club did better at the gate, owner Marshall chose to make a change after the season, dismissing Dietz in favor of former Harvard star Eddie Casey. It didn’t work out – the Redskins dropped to 2-8-1 in 1935.

Dietz returned to college coaching, again reuniting with Warner, now at Temple University, in 1935 and then as head coach at Albright College in ’37. He stayed there until 1943, when the football program was suspended during World War II. It marked the end of a coaching career that produced an overall record of 70-47-6 at the college level and 11-11-2 in the NFL. Counting all levels of football, he was 170-71-11.


Dietz was also a talented artist who produced many portraits and illustrations that typically pertained to either Native American themes or football. He founded an art school in Pittsburgh following his coaching career that eventually failed, forcing him into poverty as a result. Still, he was an interesting and accomplished character who numbered Knute Rockne, George Halas, ex-teammate Jim Thorpe, and Walt Disney among his friends, raised show dogs, and was known for his artistic as well as sports achievements.

In more recent years, long after Dietz coached the Redskins and the team moved to Washington, legal action was taken against the club to attempt to force a change of the nickname. The belief that the team was named Redskins in honor of Dietz reopened the question of his actual origins. While it is still a subject of debate (a recent and thorough biographer has concluded that he was indeed half Native American), there can be no question that Lone Star Dietz was one of the most fascinating individuals to coach a NFL team, even if not the most successful.

1983: Boddie Upstages Walker as Express Beat Generals in USFL Debut

The United States Football League commenced its inaugural season with five games on March 6, 1983 (there was also a Monday night contest the following day to round out Week 1). Of those games, the one that drew the most attention was played in Los Angeles, where the Express hosted the New Jersey Generals.

There was a national television audience and a large press contingent in addition to 34,002 fans in attendance at the Memorial Coliseum. The reason for the intense scrutiny was the presence of one player, RB Herschel Walker. A three-time All-American and winner of the Heisman Trophy as a junior, he had left the Univ. of Georgia a year early to sign a three-year, $4.2 million contract with the USFL club in a stunning move just weeks before the season commenced.

Expectations were high for Walker, although he had only practiced with the club for a short time since his signing. When the contest was all over another rookie, RB Tony Boddie of the Express (pictured above), who was an unknown 12th round draft choice out of Montana State, would be receiving accolades for his performance.

With veteran NFL backup Mike Rae at quarterback, the Express started off the scoring in the first quarter with a 23-yard field goal by Vince Abbott. New Jersey, also with a veteran pro backup at quarterback in ex-Saint Bobby Scott, scored the first touchdown, and it was Walker running in from five yards out. The extra point attempt failed, however, and the Generals held to a three-point lead. Dave Jacobs booted a 38-yard field goal with just seconds remaining in the opening period to extend New Jersey’s lead to 9-3.

On the opening drive of the second quarter, LA added three points on a 27-yard field goal by Abbott. Rookie Tom Ramsey, a local product from UCLA, replaced Rae at quarterback for the Express five minutes into the period with the Generals holding a 9-6 lead. Ramsey passed to Boddie for an 11-yard touchdown late in the half to put the Express ahead at 13-9.

Four minutes into the third quarter, Los Angeles scored again when Ramsey threw to WR Vister Hayes for a 24-yard TD. The Generals came back with a touchdown of their own in the fourth quarter with Scott hitting WR Tom McConnaughey from ten yards out. Scott’s pass for a two-point conversion fell incomplete and the Express held onto a five-point lead.

With 3:48 left and the ball at the LA 31, Coach Hugh Campbell of the Express chose to go for it on fourth-and-inches. The gamble failed when reserve FB LaRue Harrington carried the ball into the middle of the line and was stopped for no gain. (Afterward, Campbell said that the Express had two injured defensive backs and he was concerned that they wouldn’t have been able to stop New Jersey’s passing attack, thus prompting the effort to maintain possession).

It appeared that it might prove fatal to the home team when the Generals moved swiftly to the Los Angeles five, but then Scott was sacked for a nine-yard loss and, with Walker standing on the sidelines, a fourth-down pass to WR Larry Brodsky came up inches short of a first down and LA was able to run out the clock for a 20-15 win.

The Generals outgained the Express (366 yards to 296), had more first downs (22 to 16), and held onto the ball longer (34:09 to 25:51). However, they also turned the ball over five times, to just one suffered by LA, and Scott was sacked four times while Express quarterbacks were tossed twice. Both teams ran the ball 33 times apiece and Los Angeles outgained the Generals by 169 to 147.

Herschel Walker’s pro debut was pronounced a disappointment as he gained 65 yards on 16 carries that included one TD and caught just one pass for three more yards. By contrast, the unknown Tony Boddie made a splash by gaining 77 yards on 13 attempts and adding 5 pass receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown.

Tom Ramsey completed only 8 of 20 passes for 117 yards for the Express, but two of them went for touchdowns against one interception. Mike Rae was 3-for-7 and 22 yards. While Boddie had the most catches, Vister Hayes was the yardage leader with 60 on his four receptions.

For the Generals, Bobby Scott was successful on 24 of 38 throws for 251 yards and a TD, but was picked off three times. TE Victor Hicks was the top receiver with 5 catches for 69 yards while Tom McConnaughey was right behind with 61 yards on his four receptions. After Walker, the next-leading rusher was FB Dwight Sullivan with 7 carries for 35 yards.


“A lot of the guys had more speed than I expected to see,” said Walker (pictured at left) in summing up his first pro game. “And the execution was better. I guess that’s the biggest adjustment I have to make.”

“I said before the game that we’d use other backs because Herschel had been with us only a week,” said Generals Head Coach Chuck Fairbanks. “In the second half, we were in a catch-up situation early and I felt I had to take him out because of his lack of preparation.”

“We didn’t block as well as we should have for him – we can help him out a lot more than we did today,” added Fairbanks.

“This was real fun,” said Tom Ramsey, whose first pro contest proved to be more satisfying. “I think this is one of the more exciting games I’ve ever played in. The fans got their money’s worth. When the fans are with you, like these fans were, it fires me up.”

Over the course of the season, Herschel Walker asserted himself as a ball carrier and ended up leading the USFL with 1812 yards on 412 carries (4.4 avg.) and 17 touchdowns – he was also New Jersey’s leading pass receiver with 53 catches for 489 yards and another TD. As for Tony Boddie, he returned to earth, ending up 23rd in the league in rushing (and second on the Express) with 403 yards on 109 attempts (3.7 avg.) and three scores while pulling in 46 passes for 434 yards and two TDs.

Both teams ended up with losing records. The Express went 8-10, which was still good enough to contend in the weak Pacific Division (the Oakland Invaders won the division title at 9-9). Alternating quarterbacks (a preference of Coach Campbell from his years in the CFL) and with a generally weak running game, LA could not generate the offensive consistency to put sufficient points on the board and negated the efforts of the fifth-ranked defense. New Jersey was more of a disappointment, finishing 6-12 and well out of the running in the Atlantic Division. Bobby Scott didn’t last the year – he was dealt to Chicago when injuries depleted their quarterback ranks – and Jeff Knapple, Gene Bradley, and Dave Boisture were found wanting.

MVP Profile: Abner Haynes, 1960

Halfback, Dallas Texans



Age: 23 (Sept. 19)
1st season in pro football
College: North Texas State
Height: 6’0” Weight: 185

Prelude:
The fledgling Texans signed Haynes for the new AFL, winning a bidding war against the NFL Steelers, who drafted him in the fifth round of that league’s draft, and Winnipeg of the CFL. An unheralded small college star, he was an evasive all-purpose runner and quickly became the AFL’s first home-grown star.

1960 Season Summary
Appeared in all 14 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing
Attempts – 156 [1]
Most attempts, game - 27 (for 81 yds.) at Denver 10/30
Yards – 875 [1]
Most yards, game – 157 yards (on 11 carries) at NY Titans 11/24
Average gain – 5.6 [2]
TDs – 9 [1]
100-yard rushing games - 2

Pass Receiving
Receptions – 55 [5]
Most receptions, game – 7 (for 62 yds.) at LA Chargers 9/10, (for 96 yds.) at Denver 10/30
Yards – 576 [15]
Most yards, game - 96 (on 7 catches) at Denver 10/30
Average gain – 10.5
TDs – 3

Passing
Pass attempts – 1
Pass completions – 0
Passing yards – 0
TD passes – 0
Interceptions – 0

Kickoff Returns
Returns – 19 [6, tied with Ken Hall]
Yards – 434 [7]
Most yards, game – 111 at Buffalo 11/6
Average per return – 22.8 [8]
TDs – 0
Longest return – 82 yards

Punt Returns
Returns – 14 [2, tied with Johnny Robinson]
Yards – 215 [1]
Most yards, game – 74 vs. NY Titans 10/2
Average per return – 15.4 [1]
TDs – 0
Longest return – 46 yards

All-Purpose yards – 2100 [1]

Scoring
TDs – 12 [2, tied with Bill Groman & Lionel Taylor]
Points – 72 [7, tied with Bill Groman & Lionel Taylor]

Awards & Honors:
AFL Player of the Year: AP, UPI, Sporting News
1st team All-AFL: League, AP, UPI

Texans went 8-6 to finish second in the AFL Western Division while placing second in the league in rushing yards (2007).

Aftermath:
Haynes followed up his outstanding rookie year with 1899 all-purpose yards in 1961, including 841 rushing for a league-leading 9 TDs and 4.7 yards per carry, and 34 pass receptions for 558 more. He was selected to the first AFL All-Star Game. In ’62 he ran for 1049 yards and again had the most rushing TDs with 13, as well as the most TDs overall with 19, and also topped the AFL with 1622 yards from scrimmage as the Texans won the AFL title. Haynes was a consensus first-team All-AFL selection and was again chosen for the league’s All-Star contest. The franchise became the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963, but had a losing record and Haynes suffered a significant drop in production. The death of rookie HB Stone Johnson, who suffered a broken neck during the last preseason game, had a profound effect on Haynes and his style of play lacked the previous excitement. After improving in 1964, gaining a last All-Star selection after running for 697 yards and gaining another 562 on 38 catches, he was traded to the Denver Broncos. Haynes led the AFL in kickoff returns in ’65 (26.5 avg.), but his offensive production dropped again and, prone to carrying the ball away from his body, he led the league in fumbles in 1966 (11). His last season, 1967, was split between the second-year Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets, and while he showed flashes of the old form, the writing was on the wall and he retired. Haynes ended up gaining 12,065 total yards in the AFL (4630 rushing, 3535 receiving, 3025 returning kickoffs, 875 returning punts) and scored a total of 69 touchdowns.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself).

[Updated 2/9/14]

1985: Gunslingers Beat Outlaws with Late Safety to Cap 4th Quarter Surge

The San Antonio Gunslingers had gone 7-11 in 1984, their inaugural United States Football League season, and played poorly in losing their 1985 season-opening game to Memphis by a score of 20-3. There did not appear to be much reason for optimism for the team coached by 38-year-old Jim Bates. The offense averaged just 17.2 points per outing in ’84, but QB Rick Neuheisel (pictured at right), a rookie out of UCLA in the team’s first year, at least now had a season of experience under his belt although his supporting cast was largely the same. It was the “Bounty Hunter” defense that kept the team competitive. However, the organization seemed shaky as owner Clinton Manges, an oil man, had difficulty paying its bills and presented a fly-by-night front with its offices housed in a double-wide trailer that was kept in the Alamo Stadium parking lot.

On March 3, 1985 the Gunslingers hosted the Arizona Outlaws before a small crowd of 11,151. Coached by Frank Kush, the Outlaws were a combination of 1984’s Arizona Wranglers and Oklahoma Outlaws. Several of the veterans who had been with the Wranglers under retired Head Coach George Allen supplemented the Outlaws squad that featured ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Doug Williams.

The Outlaws get off to a fast start, scoring on their first possession. They went 71 yards in 13 plays capped by RB Kevin Long’s one-yard scoring carry to take a 7-0 lead that held up until the final period. San Antonio threatened once in the second quarter, reaching the Arizona nine yard line after a 46-yard drive, but a 33-yard field goal attempt by Nick Mike-Mayer was aborted when Neuheisel fumbled the snap.

Arizona missed out on opportunities to extend the lead as Luis Zendejas failed on field goal attempts of 42 and 51 yards. Still, it seemed as though the one-touchdown lead might be enough against San Antonio’s weak offense.

In the fourth quarter the Gunslingers finally got on the board following a bad snap on an Arizona punt. Punter Case de Bruijn dropped the ball, recovered, but was tackled at his two yard line. Two plays later RB Scott Stamper scored a one-yard TD and, with the successful extra point, it was a tie game.

However, the Outlaws came right back, driving 75 yards in 12 plays that was again completed by Long on a one-yard scoring dive. But on the first play of San Antonio’s ensuing possession, Neuheisel came up with a big play as he threw to WR Danny Buggs for a 69-yard touchdown. The successful extra point again tied the game at 14-14.

There were more problems on special teams for Arizona as San Antonio LB Reggie Mathis blocked the punt following the next series and DB Jim Bob Morris recovered at the Arizona two. But the Outlaws kept the Gunslingers out of the end zone and, following yet another bad snap on a field goal attempt on fourth down, Neuheisel threw an incomplete pass.

The Outlaws had dodged a bullet but also had the ball deep in their own territory. On the second play, DE Jeff Chaffin sacked Doug Williams in the end zone with just over a minute remaining in the contest to provide the winning margin. San Antonio, having scored all of its points in the final period, came away with a 16-14 win.

Arizona outgained the Gunslingers (304 to 168) and had more first downs (16 to 10). The Outlaws sacked Neuheisel seven times, giving up two (although one was the game-deciding safety), and punted only twice, while San Antonio had to kick the ball away on six occasions. But they only managed to score the two touchdowns, and sloppy special teams play had a huge effect (although both clubs were so afflicted).

Rick Neuheisel completed 10 of 22 passes for 155 yards, with 69 of that total coming on his one touchdown pass, along with one interception. It was also the only reception for Danny Buggs, who nevertheless led the team in receiving yards, while RB Don Roberts and TE James Hadnot each caught two passes, for 15 and 12 yards, respectively. The Gunslingers gained just 54 rushing yards, and Scott Stamper led the way with 22 yards on 8 carries.

For Arizona, Doug Williams was successful on 24 of 34 throws for 211 yards with no TDs but two interceptions. TE Ron Wheeler caught 6 of those passes for 61 yards. Kevin Long led the team with 36 rushing yards on 12 attempts that included the two short TDs and also contributed 5 pass receptions for 49 more.


Coach Kush (pictured at left) expressed understandable disappointment with his club’s special teams play. Special teams “had to be the difference in the game,” said Kush. He added “San Antonio should get credit, though, because they hung in there.”

The tough defense that went on to score a total of four safeties over the course of the season wasn’t enough to carry the Gunslingers to many victories – they ended up with a 5-13 record for sixth place in the Western Conference. The off-field ineptness continued to distract the team, with missed paydays causing Coach Bates to quit before it was over. Arizona was 8-10, two places above San Antonio. The Outlaws won the rematch between the teams by a 13-3 score.

Past Venue: Universal Stadium

Portsmouth, OH
aka Spartan Municipal Stadium



Year opened: 1930
Capacity: 8200

Names:
Universal Stadium, 1930-70
Spartan Municipal Stadium, 1970 to date

Pro football tenants:
Portsmouth Spartans (NFL), 1930-33

Postseason games hosted:
None

Other tenants of note:
Portsmouth High School
Notre Dame High School

Notes: Designated an Ohio state historical site, 2003. Owned by City of Portsmouth and originally constructed to accommodate the NFL Spartans. Venue was renamed in honor of the Spartans in 1970, long after the franchise had moved to Detroit. Fire in 1990s caused significant damage, resulting in replacement of the press box. First football game was Spartans vs. Newark Tornadoes, Sept. 14, 1930. Used by Kentucky Warriors of semipro Heartland Football League. Also used for soccer matches.

Fate: Still in use

MVP Profile: Joe Montana, 1989

Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers



Age: 33
11th season in pro football & with 49ers
College: Notre Dame
Height: 6’2” Weight: 195

Prelude:
Lightly regarded coming out of college for his slight build and seemingly weak arm, Montana was taken by the 49ers in the third round of the 1979 NFL draft. After seeing scant action as a rookie backing up Steve DeBerg, he moved into the starting lineup during the ’80 season and led the league in completion percentage (64.5). An excellent fit in Head Coach Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense, Montana broke out in 1981, passing for 3565 yards and 19 TDs and again placing at the top in completion percentage (63.7) as he achieved selection to the Pro Bowl. The team also prospered, going 13-3 and winning the Super Bowl. While the 49ers slumped in the strike-shortened ’82 season, Montana led the NFL in pass attempts (346) and TD passes (17). He had three straight Pro Bowl years from 1983 to ’85 and the 49ers went 33-13 during his starts (4-2 in the postseason) and won another NFL title in 1984. It seemed as though his career might come to an end when he had back surgery in 1986, but Montana only missed half the season and achieved consensus first-team All-Pro status as well as a return to the Pro Bowl in ’87, when he passed for a career-high 31 touchdowns. However, the 49ers were upset in the playoffs and he faced a challenge from younger backup Steve Young. Montana came back strong in a 1988 season that ended with a game-winning drive in the Super Bowl.

1989 Season Summary
Appeared and started in 13 of 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing
Attempts – 386 [16]
Most attempts, game – 42 vs. Green Bay 11/19, at LA Rams 12/11
Completions – 271 [11]
Most completions, game – 30 vs. Green Bay 11/19, at LA Rams 12/11
Yards – 3521 [8]
Most yards, game – 458 at LA Rams 12/11
Completion percentage – 70.2 [1]
Yards per attempt – 9.1 [1]
TD passes – 26 [4]
Most TD passes, game – 5 at Philadelphia 9/24
Interceptions – 8
Most interceptions, game – 2 at Tampa Bay 9/17, at LA Rams 12/11
Passer rating – 112.4 [1]
400-yard passing games – 2
300-yard passing games – 4
200-yard passing games – 10

Rushing
Attempts – 49
Most attempts, game - 9 (for 21 yds.) at Tampa Bay 9/17
Yards – 227
Most yards, game – 40 yards (on 3 carries) vs. New England 10/22
Yards per attempt – 4.6
TDs – 3

Scoring
TDs – 3
Points - 18

Postseason: 3 G
Pass attempts – 83
Most attempts, game - 30 vs. LA Rams, NFC Championship
Pass completions – 65
Most completions, game - 26 vs. LA Rams, NFC Championship
Passing yardage – 800
Most yards, game - 297 vs. Denver, Super Bowl
TD passes – 11
Most TD passes, game - 5 vs. Denver, Super Bowl
Interceptions – 0

Rushing attempts – 5
Most rushing attempts, game - 2 vs. Minnesota, NFC Divisional playoff, vs. Denver, Super Bowl
Rushing yards – 19
Most rushing yards, game - 15 vs. Denver, Super Bowl
Average gain rushing – 3.8
Rushing TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:
NFL MVP: AP, PFWA, NEA, Bert Bell Award, Sporting News
NFL Offensive Player of the Year: AP
1st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News
1st team All-NFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl

49ers went 14-2 to win the NFC West and gain top seed in the conference for the postseason while leading the league in total yards (6268) and scoring (442 points). Won NFC Divisional playoff over Minnesota Vikings (41-13), NFC Championship over Los Angeles Rams (30-3), and Super Bowl over Denver Broncos (55-10).

Aftermath:
Montana had another MVP season in 1990, throwing for a career-high 3944 yards, but the 49ers fell short of a third consecutive NFL title when they were beaten in the NFC Championship game by the Giants. An injury suffered in that game caused Montana to miss all of 1991 and virtually all of ’92 (he appeared in one game) and the team committed to Young as the starting quarterback. Montana moved on to Kansas City, where he had two productive seasons and was chosen for one last Pro Bowl (his 8th) in 1993. He retired following the ’94 season with the second-highest passer rating in NFL history (92.3) as he threw for 40,551 yards and 273 TDs as well as compiling a record of 117-47 as a starting QB (16-7 in the playoffs). Known for his coolness under pressure and admired for his class, Montana’s #16 was retired by the 49ers and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2000.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself).

[Updated 2/9/14]