For six years, Joe Montana and Steve young shared a spot on the San Francisco 49ers roster (1987-1992 seasons).
By the time I came of age to be a complete Niner fan, Joe was gone, Steve was the man, and there would be no quarterback controversy to speak of for years.
So, I've become a bit of a history buff on this epic quarterback controversy recently, and have yet to hear of any as intense, or long, as this one.
Through the many videos, articles, and even books, one point that gets brought up again and again, is how the two stayed generally cordial throughout.
"People always think that we fought," Young said. "We never had a cross word, never had an argument, and I've always said to people that it went as well as it possibly could with two hypercompetitive people. But it wasn't easy; it was difficult, difficult for both of us."
Yet, behind the scenes political moves were being executed on both sides.
[Even within the confines of the team's facilities, passive-aggressive warfare was employed. Both lobbied for more repetitions in practice, then complained to third-string quarterback John Paye while their competition ran the offense. And when Paye wasn't either man's confidant, the media was.
That season, a member of the press was pulled aside by Montana, who said that Young had covertly erased portions of practice film in which Young threw a bad pass or made the wrong read. Within a week, Young pulled aside that same person to inform them that Montana was spreading false rumors about him erasing practice films to hide mistakes from the coaching staff.]*
Of course they both wanted to start, and that meant the other had to lose this 'quarterback controversy'.
"We're friends, Steve and I," Montana said. "But out on the practice field, if he doesn't hate me as much as I hate him, then there's something wrong."
Wonder if Smith aggress with that ^... Or, Montana of this…
"In my opinion, if you can't be happy for your teammate's success, you're playing the wrong sport," Smith said today, his first media appearance in a week. "Go play tennis or golf or something. It's ridiculous, I think. That doesn't belong in team sports, in my opinion."
So, obviously I'm starting this thread because of our recent 2012 quarterback flip. More specifically though, I had a hard time enjoying the Saint's game yesterday… turns out I can't have my cake and eat it too. I honestly had to turn my head every time they'd show Smith on the sidelines chewing on his mouthpiece like he was on crack…
But, I'm hoping this thread won't turn into a CK/Smith thread.
I want to know from older 49er fans who went through that period what it was like, if you ever had similar feelings, I'd sincerely like to hear some of your stories/feelings from that time. Or anyone's thoughts really, regardless if you're like me and just read about it.
* Best of Rivals: Joe Montana, Steve Young, and the Inside Story behind the NFL's Greatest Quarterback Controversy
[ Edited by stillpans4gold on Nov 26, 2012 at 11:44 AM ]