|
“Just Thinking"
John Brodie, the legendary San Francisco 49ers quarterback, died on January 23 at the age of 90. For me, he was my Willie Mays of football, Willie for the Giants and John Brodie for the Niners. For generations of Bay Area football fans, Brodie was more than just a quarterback, he was the foundation upon which modern 49ers history was built.
Long before the era of Super Bowl dynasties and Hall of Fame quarterbacks, John Brodie set the standard for excellence and longevity, in San Francisco. His career spanned 17 seasons all with the 49ers (1957–1973)
I talked before about my first 49er game, we wore our PAL Gladiator uniforms, we blew up balloons to be released after national anthem, the Niners played the Bears, John Brodie, Gayle Sayers, Dick Butkis and so many of my other heroes. Our seats were in the end zone near the tunnel. The Niners lost the game and as the players left the field, John Brodie was jogging to the tunnel, there was a group of guys yelling Brodie you suck and they poured their beers on him as he ran by, I was devastated.
John Brodie was truly a local guy who made good, born in Menlo Park and raised in Oakland, attended Oakland Technical High School. He then moved on to Stanford University, where he excelled not only in football but also in golf, earning consensus All-American honors in 1956 before being selected third overall in the 1957 NFL Draft by the 49ers.
Though his early years with the Niners were marked by competition for playing time, Brodie emerged in the 1960s as one of the league’s most productive and reliable quarterbacks. He became known for his strong arm, precise touch, and poise in the pocket, traits that helped reshape how the position was played during a transitional era of the league.
Brodie’s crowning achievement came during the 1970 season, when he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. That year, he led the league in passing yards and touchdowns, guiding the 49ers to an NFC West title and a conference championship appearance.
At the time of his retirement, he ranked among the all-time leaders in passing yards, and he retired as the longest-tenured player in 49ers history, a record that still stands today. His No. 12 jersey was retired in 1973, cementing his place among the franchise’s elite.
After leaving the field, Brodie seamlessly transitioned into broadcasting, spending more than a decade as a football and golf analyst for NBC Sports, including serving as the network’s lead NFL analyst alongside Curt Gowdy. Later, he pursued another lifelong passion, competing successfully on the Senior PGA Tour, where he captured a tournament victory in 1991.
The 49ers organization confirmed his passing with a heartfelt statement, calling Brodie “one of the franchise’s all-time great players” and praising his lifelong commitment to teammates, fans, and the Bay Area community.
John Brodie’s legacy lives on in the identity of the 49ers themselves, in the tradition of great quarterback play he helped establish. As we reflect on his life, John Brodie will be remembered as a hometown hero, a local boy done good.
Rest in Peace John Brodie.
Let me know what you think.
| 
