Joe Montana would have been in 7 Superbowls and possibly winning 6 of the 7 if it hadn't been for these four individuals - Bubba Paris, Roger Craig, Jim Burt and Bruce Smith.
1986 NFC Divisional Playoff Game in Giants Stadium, New York on (January 4, 1987) - Jim Burt knocked 49ers quarterback Joe Montana out of the game in the second quarter, hitting him as he threw a pass which Lawrence Taylor intercepted and returned 34 yards for a touchdown. The 49ers went on to loose the game without a fight 49-3.
1990 NFC Championship Game in Candlestick Park, San Francisco on (January 20, 1991) - Bubba Paris missed the block on Leonard Marshall who knocked Joe out of the game for good when the Niners was leading 13-9. In the same game, Roger Craig fumbled late in the fourth quarter while the 49ers were trying to hold on to a 13-12 lead over the NY Giants. The Giants recovered the ball and scored on a last-second field goal, winning the game 15–13. The NFC Champs New York Giants went on to beat the Buffalo Bills in Superbowl XXV on the infamous wide-right missed FG by Scott Norwood.
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| Left: Leonard Marshall knocks Joe out cold in 1990 NFC Championship game. Right: 1986 NFC Divisional Playoff saw Jim Burt hit Joe as he releases the ball |
1993 AFC Championship Game in Orchard Park Buffalo on (January 24, 1994) - Bruce Smith along with Phil Hansen (DE) and Jeff Wright (NT) sandwiched and knocked Joe out of the game early in the 3rd Quarter while the Chiefs was trailing 20-13.
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| In 1994, Montana knocked out just before hafltime in Orchard Park, Buffalo as Bruce Smith looks on after his sack. |