Joe Montana turned 63 years old on Tuesday and his NFL playing days have been catching up with him over the years. He had replacement surgery on his throwing shoulder two weeks ago, but infection has created complications.
Montana is in Pebble Beach serving as an honorary ambassador at the U.S. Open. He has been posing with fans and signing autographs all while having his arm in a massive brace. Montana will require follow-up surgeries to correct the resulting complications.
"I could live with a lot of it, but then I got to where I couldn't lift my arm past my shoulder, so I decided to do something about it," Montana said via Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group. "I'd be OK if I didn't have this stupid thing. You have to wear it 24/7. Shaking hands is not the problem. You have to sleep with this on."
Montana also spoke of the team for which his NFL legacy is most often linked. He hasn't had a chance to get to know quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Montana tries to keep his distance. He has, after all, moved on to other ventures during his post-football years and doesn't often seek to return.
Montana knows for the 49ers to find success, the team's decision-makers will need to surround Garoppolo with talent. He also acknowledges that the team's inability to stay healthy hasn't helped the current regime.
"It's that same old thing: they had a bunch of injuries," Montana said. "You just don't know until the season gets going. You can take a look at how the quarterback comes back and what have they added to the team to help him on the outside – it's been a big need, I think, for them. But the defense seems to be OK."
The 49ers made efforts this offseason to add weapons for Garoppolo. The team added Tevin Coleman to a running back group that, like other positions, was struck with injuries last season. San Francisco also drafted two dynamic receivers, Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd, in April.
Last year, the 49ers used a second-round pick on wide receiver Dante Pettis, who is also with Montana in Pebble Beach and briefly discussed his legacy.
"Everyone knows about Joe Montana," Pettis said. "He's the greatest quarterback to ever play."