Joe Montana: Cool Under Pressure

Doubt from Joe's coaches makes his transition from Pennsylvania to Notre Dame difficult.

Though Joe starts his career on the bench in 1979, he wins the NFC Championship two years later.

Joe leads the 49ers to their first Super Bowl victory in 1982; after a San Francisco regular-season record of 15 wins in 1984, Joe wins his second ring in Super Bowl XIX; 1985 becomes a special year for Joe when he marries the girl of his dreams.

Joe undergoes a potentially career-ending back surgery in 1986; when the 49ers trade for Steve Young in 1987, the move starts the biggest quarterback controversy in NFL history; a 6-5 record in 1988 has the 49ers at a breaking point.

The playoffs look out of reach in 1988, but Joe rallies the 49ers to finish 10-6 and a come-from-behind victory in Super Bowl XXIII; a year later, five touchdown passes in Super Bowl XXIV give Joe his fourth Super Bowl ring and a third MVP trophy.

A second league MVP in 1990 comes to a screeching halt in the NFC Championship Game; Joe misses the following two years with an elbow injury before being traded in 1993.