John Brodie was our first 49er hero. We arrived in Mill Valley in 1965, and one look at Brodie-to-Dave Parks was all we needed. That '65 team scored 421 points and was entertaining, if often infuriating, every week. We were hooked, at age 9.
Now, 60 years (60 years!!!), five world championships, two Hall of Fame quarterbacks, and three stadiums later, our memories of good old Number 12 are as fresh and affectionate as ever.
Brodie had a reputation, unfairly bestowed, as being "just good enough to get you to the big game and then get you beat." It's true that his 49ers lost three playoff games, two of them NFL championships, to Dallas in 1970-1972, two of which were eminently winnable. But it's also true that Brodie's heroics were a major part of getting those teams to the playoffs; until his arrival, the 49ers had never finished in first place.
A few highlights from a memorable 17-year career, 9 of which years we witnessed:
1965. Brodie's breakout season at age 30. He led the league in just about every passing category, with 30 TDs and a 61.9% completion percentage, which seems modest today but which got him enough MVP votes to finish second behind Jim Brown.
November 27, 1969. Thanksgiving Day at the Cotton Bowl. In the midst of a lousy season (2-7-1 at kickoff), with Brodie having missed 4 starts due to injuries, #12 plays a near-perfect game against the NFL's marquee franchise on national TV. He leads two third-quarter scoring drives for a 24-17 lead before Dallas ties it late. Charlie Krueger then blocks a game-winning field goal attempt and the Niners come away with a tie that feels like a win.
December 20, 1970, at the Oakland Coliseum. Having clinched the first NFC West division title, the first time they've ever won anything, the 49ers are openly dissed by the AFC West champion Raiders, who predict they'll not only sack Brodie multiple times but knock him out of the game. Instead, the 49ers rout the Raiders 38-7, and Brodie isn't even touched as he throws three touchdown passes. It's a pity they didn't get a chance to beat Oakland again in the Super Bowl, but neither team made it.
December 27, 1970 at Metropolitan Stadium. A week later the 49ers are in Minnesota for their first-ever postseason game. The Vikings don't trash talk, but the national media unanimously write off the Niners' chances in minus-5 degree weather. Brodie plays error-free ball, throws for a TD, and runs for another as San Francisco dominates, leading 17-7 before a Minnesota touchdown on the game's last play. Until January 10, 1982, this was the franchise's high-water mark.
December 16, 1972 at Candlestick Park. It's the Vikings again, in the season finale, and they stand between the 49ers and a third straight division title. Brodie, 37, is on the bench late in the third quarter; he's missed 8 games with injuries and ceded his starting job to Steve Spurrier. But down 17-6 with 15 minutes to play, coach Dick Nolan calls on Number 12. Fifteen minutes later the 49ers have won, 20-17, as Brodie leads two touchdown drives, one a 99-yarder, in the final minutes. Forced to throw on every down against a great defense, he's 10 of 15 for 165 and both touchdowns-- despite two of those frustrating interceptions that so many associate with him.
September 16, 1973, Opening Day at the Orange Bowl. Brodie's Last Stand? It's the 49ers and the undefeated world champion Miami Dolphins, and the Niners do their best to become the first team to end that unbeaten streak. Brodie, again in relief, leads the 49ers to a 13-6 lead as the fourth quarter begins. It doesn't end well as Miami puts up 15 unanswered points-- touchdown, two field goals, safety on a punt attempt-- to win 21-13. They're just a little too good. The unbeaten streak will end the following week in Oakland, and John Brodie will retire at season's end. His jersey number 12 will be also be retired.
RIP John Brodie. 49er Nation mourns our loss, and salutes one of our greatest.
