John Brodie, former 49ers quarterback and one-time MVP, dies at 90
John Brodie, who won an MVP award and was one of the NFL’s most prolific passers during a 17-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, has died. He was 90.
Brodie’s family said he died Friday, according to the 49ers. Brodie had a stroke on Oct. 24, 2000.
“The 49ers family is saddened to learn of the passing of one of the franchise’s all-time great players, John Brodie,” 49ers co-chairman Dr. John York said. “As a kid, my 49ers fandom began by watching John play quarterback on television. He displayed an incredible commitment toward his teammates and his support of the organization never wavered after his playing days.
“John became a dear friend of mine, and he will always be remembered as an important part of 49ers history. We express our deepest condolences to his wife, Sue, and the entire Brodie family.”
Brodie played for the 49ers from 1957-73 after breaking every major passing record at Stanford. He later played on what is now the PGA Tour Champions and won the 1991 Security Pacific Senior Classic.
Brodie’s 17 seasons are a 49ers record, and his 31,548 yards passing rank second to Joe Montana on San Francisco’s career passing list. When Brodie retired after the 1973 season, he trailed only Johnny Unitas and Fran Tarkenton on the NFL’s career passing list.
John Brodie gets a ride on the shoulders of an admiring crowd following a win over the Vikings that gave the 49ers the Western Division championship in San Francisco on Dec. 16, 1972.
(Associated Press)
His 214 touchdown passes are third in team history behind Montana and Steve Young.
“He was a great guy, a super competitor, I don’t care what it was: football, cards, golf,” said Jerry Mertens, a cornerback for the 49ers from 1958-65. “He was a great player and he enjoyed all the things that were competitive.
“The guy just did it all, and he was a great leader, there’s no question about that.”
Brodie won the most valuable player award in 1970 when he passed for 2,941 yards and 24 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions. He led the 49ers to the NFC championship game in 1970 and 1971. That was as close as he got to the Super Bowl.
When Brodie left football, the 49ers retired his No. 12 jersey, making him the fourth San Francisco player to be so honored.
Brodie led the NFL in yards passing three times and touchdown passes twice, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 1970 and second-team in 1965.
John Brodie drives from the 14th tee while playing as a professional in the Bing Crosby Pro-Am tournament at Pebble Beach on Jan. 16, 1959.
(Associated Press)
A 6-foot-1, 200-pounder during his playing days, Brodie was born in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 1935, but went to high school at Oakland Technical. He was a unanimous All-American at Stanford in 1956 and won the Coffman Award as the MVP in the East-West Game.
In college he earned three varsity letters in football under coach Chuck Taylor and two varsity letters in golf. The 49ers picked him at No. 3 in the first round of the 1957 draft.
Brodie had his best year statistically in 1965, when he had career bests of 242 completions, 3,112 yards passing, 30 touchdown passes and won the Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
He surpassed the 30,000-yard milestone in the fourth game of the 1972 season.
After football Brodie remained a top golfer. At 56 and playing in the 1991 Security Pacific Senior Classic at Rancho Park in Los Angeles, he beat Chi Chi Rodriguez and George Archer with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff.