For a San Francisco 49ers franchise rich in its history at the quarterback position, John Brodie was one of the first to establish that tradition of sensational signal calls.
Brodie played parts of three decades for the Niners, totaling a career-high 17 games leading San Francisco to back-to-back NFC Championship Games in 1970-71 and winning the NFL MVP in 1970.
Brodie died Friday at the age of 90, the longest of any player at 49, the team said.
“The 49ers family is saddened to learn of the passing of one of the franchise’s all-time greats, John Brodie,” said 49ers co-chairman Dr. John York, in a statement. “As a kid, my 49ers fans started watching John play quarterback on television. He showed an incredible commitment to his teammates and his support for 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. Our deepest condolences to his wife, Sudie, and our family.”
In a storied San Francisco history where Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Steve Young led the 49ers to Super Bowl victories and others before them — like Frankie Albert and YA Tittle — and where the likes of Jeff Garcia, Colin Kaepernick and Brock Purdy left their mark, Brodie left his own indelible chapter on the franchise.
He was the first 49ers player to win the league MVP when he led the NFL with 2,941 yards and 24 touchdowns in 1970, captained the Niners to the NFC West title and a run to the conference title game, where they fell to the rival Dallas Cowboys.
Brodie’s No. He was a member of the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2009.
By the end of his 17 seasons in The Bay, he had completed 2,469 passes for 31,548 yards and 214 touchdowns. His total still ranks second in team history behind only Montana, with his TDs third behind Montana and Young.
Brodie was a two-time pro bowler and the 1965 AP Comeback Player of the Year.
A hometown boy, Brodie was born on August 14, 1935 in San Francisco. He became an American at Stanford, but it was in golf. He chose the channel over the links and was selected no. 3 overall in the 1957 NFL Draft by the 49ers.
He didn’t play much in his early years, splitting time with Tittle before the veteran was dealt to the New York Giants. Throughout the 1960s, Brodie was a fixture for the 49ers starting under center
He won his first of three passing titles in 1965 with a career-best 3,112 yards. His 30 touchdown catches that year were also a career and league high.
After his stellar showing in ’65, Brodie received a huge raise from the 49ers after the AFL’s Houston Oilers had tried to lure him away.
Brodie’s career spanned from 1957 to 1973 with 201 games (158 starts).
After his playing career, Brodie worked for NBC Sports as an NFL and golf analyst. He eventually returned to the links as a professional on the Senior PGA Tour.
Although his number was retired by the 49ers, his friend and golf partner, Trent Dilfer, wore No. 12 in his final NFL season in 2007.
Brodie has long been considered a Hall of Famer, and Dilfer hoped it would help his candidacy to get his name back into the news ring. More than that, he wanted to honor his friend.
“This is probably the biggest honor of my career to date,” Dilfer said in July 2006. “JB has been one of the biggest influences on my career. As soon as I got traded, within five minutes I called and asked if he would be honored.”
Long before Montana and Young graced the 49er Faithful, Brodie dazzled on Sundays at Kezar Stadium and Candlestick Park. For one of the NFL’s most decorated franchises, his name remains high in statistical glory, his numbers are retired and his legend lives on every fall.