When it comes to the GOAT debates among NFL quarterbacks it usually boils down to two names: Tom Brady and Joe Montana.
Growing up a 49ers fan in San Mateo, Brady has often said that he “idolized” Montana as a child. But those close to Montana seem to think the praise never extends beyond when there’s a microphone placed in front of the seven-time Super Bowl champ.
In an excerpt from Wright Thompson’s “Joe Montana Was Here” for ESPN.com, Montana’s friends say that the two have each other’s contacts but Brady has never made much of an effort to cultivate a relationship and the Hall of Famer seems bothered by him.
Writing:
Brady praises Montana as ‘a killer’ in public, but Joe’s friends feel like he’s made little effort to get to know the older player in real life. They have each other’s phone numbers. Something about Brady specifically seems to irritate Montana — friends say he’d be happy if Patrick Mahomes won eight titles — but the truth is, the two men are similar, driven by similar emotions to be great. Ultimately Montana may not care about a ring count, but watching himself get knocked down a spot fires deep powerful impulses and trips old wires even now.
Montana has previously said that he believes Brady is the best to ever do it at their position. Telling “First Take” in 2021:
“I think Tom is taking his place on the top up there, a long time ago. Everybody always contests over that, but when you take a look at what Tom’s been able to accomplish in the time that he’s played, I think it puts him definitely up there at the top of the list.”
