Joe Montana was born on June 11, 1956 in New Eagle, Penn. to Joseph Montana Sr. and Theresa Marie Bavuso.

His mother’s family emigrated from Sicily and his father’s arrived from Northern Italy. (His family’s surname, Montana, is the Americanized version of Montani.)

Joe excelled in sports in high school and was offered a basketball scholarship to North Carolina State University, but he turned it down to play football at Notre Dame (a good move).

With Joe at the helm, the Fighting Irish took home two national championships in 1977 and 1979. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, and The Comeback Kid was born.

He racked up four Super Bowl wins against the Cincinnati Bengals (twice), the Miami Dolphins and the Denver Broncos in the ’80s and early ’90s. He was the first to be named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player three times. He also holds Super Bowl career records for most passes without an interception (122 in four games) and he earned the all-time highest passer rating of 127.8.

Joe was recognized by Sports Illustrated as the #1 clutch quarterback of all time. He spent 14 years with the 9ers, and two with Kansas City.

He was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1996-1997 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

During his retirement, Joe has kept a low profile. He and his wife, Jennifer, have four children and both of their sons are following in their father’s footsteps by playing football in high school and college.

With Super Bowl LV around the corner, and with the Chiefs in the big game, we’d like to take the opportunity to tip our hat to “Joe Cool,” one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

(Want a print of the iconic photo above? Click here.)