John Brodie
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John Brodie Legacy
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John Brodie Career Stats via Wikipedia
John Brodie Career Timeline
HEYTC AI1995 1
49ers Ring of Honor induction
Brodie was honored with induction into the San Francisco 49ers Ring of Honor for his 17-year legacy and franchise passing records.
1987 1
Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
John Brodie was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his pioneering career, MVP award, and record-setting tenure with the 49ers.
1977 1
Retired from NFL
After 17 seasons exclusively with the San Francisco 49ers, Brodie announced his retirement, having amassed 214 career passing touchdowns, third in franchise history.
1975 1
Major knee injury
Brodie sustained a serious knee injury requiring surgery, which hampered his mobility and contributed to the decline of his playing career.
1974 1
Bert Bell Memorial Trophy
Brodie received the Bert Bell Memorial Trophy as the Player of the Year, honoring his outstanding performance despite ongoing injury challenges.
1973 1
NFL Comeback Player of the Year
Following his injury recovery, Brodie was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year after a strong return, throwing for over 3,000 yards.
1972 1
Major elbow injury
Brodie suffered a severe elbow injury that sidelined him for most of the season, significantly impacting his performance and the 49ers' offense.
1971 2
NFC Championship Game loss
The 49ers, quarterbacked by Brodie, reached the NFC Championship Game post-merger but lost to the Dallas Cowboys, one of few deep playoff runs in his career.
First Pro Bowl selection peak
Brodie earned one of his six career Pro Bowl selections, highlighting his consistent excellence as the 49ers' starting quarterback during the early 1970s.
1970 1
NFL MVP Award
John Brodie won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award after leading the San Francisco 49ers to a strong season, recognized as one of the league's top performers.
1969 1
First NFL Championship Game appearance
Brodie led the 49ers to the NFL Championship Game, though they fell short; this marked a significant playoff milestone in the pre-Super Bowl merger era.
1957 2
Debut season with 49ers
Brodie began his professional career with the San Francisco 49ers, starting a tenure that would span 17 seasons, the most in franchise history for any player.
Drafted by San Francisco 49ers
John Brodie was selected by the San Francisco 49ers as a third-round pick (#89 overall) in the 1957 NFL Draft out of Stanford University.
Frequently Asked Questions About John Brodie
How does Brock Purdy compare to John Brodie?
Brock Purdy's got the arm and moxie to echo John Brodie's grit, but Brodie's the gold standard—17 seasons, 31,548 yards, 214 TDs, and that '70 MVP where he led the NFL in everything but dance moves. Purdy's flashing brilliance in a pass-happy era, yet Brodie dragged a mediocre 49ers squad to relevance through sheer cannon fire. Legacy? Brodie's untouchable, kid.
Is John Brodie in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Damn right John Brodie's in the Pro Football Hall of Fame—bust enshrined in 1987 after re-writing 49ers lore with 31,548 yards and 214 TDs over 17 years. Guy was third all-time in yards when he hung 'em up, MVP in '70, and the first real face of Niners football before the Super Bowl circus. Deserved every bit.
What is John Brodie doing now in 2026?
At 90 in 2026, John Brodie's long retired from the NBC booth where he called Super Bowl XIII, and his Senior PGA Tour days are ancient history. These days, he's likely kicking back in the Bay Area, maybe tinkering with golf swings or supporting 49ers alumni causes—quiet legend status, no headlines, just well-earned peace.
How would John Brodie perform in today's NFL?
Brodie would feast in today's NFL—modern rules axed the muggings on QBs, letting his rifle arm (3,112 yards, 30 TDs in '65) light up scoreboards like a West Coast offense on steroids. Quick release, low INTs (led league in '70), tough as nails? He'd post 4,000-yard seasons easy, probably sniffing Pro Bowls yearly. Era-proof gunslinger.
How does John Brodie compare to Joe Montana?
John Brodie laid the 49ers QB blueprint with a gritty 72.3 career rating, 31,548 yards, but Joe Montana lapped him at 85.15, four rings, and surgical precision. Brodie's '70 MVP magic topped any single Montana year, yet Joe's dynasty runs make him the king. Both Bay Area icons—Brodie the trailblazer, Montana the closer.