Discovering that the San Francisco 49ers’ sideline phone had the capability to make external calls, Joe Montana decided to turn it into a meaningful ritual with his wife.
The former 49ers quarterback, now 68, reflected in a widely shared NFL Films interview about the moment he realized the phone—intended for communication between coaches and commentators—could dial out.
“I can’t explain why I thought of doing it,” he said. “I had just hung up and started wondering, ‘I wonder if these phones work for outside calls?’ So I picked up the receiver, and instinctively, I hit nine—like you would on any regular phone. When I got a dial tone, I decided to call home.”
Jennifer Montana, now 66, shared her initial reaction when she answered the unexpected call, recounting the moment for NFL Films. “The phone rings, I pick it up, and it’s Joe,” she recalled. “And I remember asking, ‘What are you doing?’”
Joe had a simple yet heartfelt response, she explained. “He said, ‘I’m calling you! Just wanted to tell you I love you.’” Confused, she asked how he managed to reach her, to which he replied, “‘They have an outside line. I check in every stadium.’”
He went on to explain that he had been using the “sideline phone,” and after discovering its ability to make calls, he saw an opportunity to talk to her while waiting to get back on the field.
A clip of the interview was later reposted by ESPN on TikTok, accompanied by the caption, “Elite QB. Elite Husband.”
That phone call was only the beginning, as the couple made it into a cherished tradition. During games, Joe would frequently call Jennifer from the field just to say he loved and missed her.
He even tested the phones in every NFL stadium to ensure he could always reach her. The moment became so iconic that trading cards were produced featuring the Hall of Famer using the phone on the sidelines.
Believing that Jennifer brought him good fortune, Joe has credited her with playing a role in his victory during the 1989 Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The game featured his legendary 92-yard drive, and he attributed part of his success to his wife’s thoughtfulness. Before the game, Jennifer had packed the same jersey he wore during the 1985 Super Bowl, where the 49ers triumphed over the Miami Dolphins.
“When I got there, I opened my bag and saw a note inside,” he said in a 2023 interview with Today. “It said something along the lines of, ‘Hey, this was lucky for you last time. Maybe you should wear it again.’” He admitted that it fueled his motivation to win.
Their love story began in the 1980s when they first met while filming a commercial. At the time, Jennifer was a model and actress, and she helped ease Joe’s nerves on set. Their connection was immediate, and they soon began dating.
Joe seemed certain that Jennifer was the one for him. Just six months into their relationship, he casually proposed by asking, “What would you say if I asked you to spend the rest of your life with me?” Though she didn’t immediately agree, she also didn’t outright refuse.
Determined to try again, he arranged for a plane to fly over the restaurant they were dining at, displaying a banner that read, “Jen, will you marry me?” This time, she said yes.
The couple married in February 1985 and later welcomed four children: daughters Alexandra and Elizabeth, and sons Nate and Nick.
