KANSAS CITY, Mo. Joe Montana knows the ugliest fact in Kansas City sports as well as you do. He hears it on TV every once in a while, even now, 24 years after he played his last game here:
The Chiefs have not won a home playoff game since he left.
Twenty-five years ago.
Outsiders often double-take, because in a more sensible world that could not possibly be true. Montana, the Hall of Fame quarterback and four-time Super Bowl winner with the San Francisco 49ers, understands the shock.
Oh my gosh, its absolutely insane to play in front of that crowd, he said. Before I came there, (former Chiefs coach) Marty Schottenheimer tried to explain it to me. Im saying, Come on, Marty. Ive been to Super Bowls, big games, it doesnt really matter.
And you know what? It was special. It was as different as going from college to the NFL. Yeah, yeah, yeah. People were just insane about their team.
Montana hasnt spoken often to Kansas City media, but the memories spill out. He still thinks the Chiefs had a Super Bowl team in 1993 but blew it when they lost home-field advantage with a late-season loss in Minnesota.
That meant playing the eventual AFC Championship Game in Buffalo instead of Kansas City. The wind chill was 12 degrees with a freezing rain that day. Back home in Kansas City, temperatures reached 51.
During the regular season, the Chiefs beat the Bills 23-7 at Arrowhead Stadium. In the playoff game, they lost 30-13 and Montana sat the last 28{ minutes with a concussion.
That was our own fault, he said. I think we had the better team. But I couldnt throw the ball 10 feet. If we wouldve played at home, it wouldve been a different game for sure.
That was so long ago, but the Chiefs playoff disappointment has only intensified. Montana is obviously best remembered for his time with the 49ers, but he has been thinking more about the Chiefs recently. He picked the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl and is effusive in his praise of Patrick Mahomes.
Montana has had a change of heart here. Hes been close with Alex Smith, Mahomes predecessor, for years.
So when I heard about the trade, Im thinking, Whoa, Im not sure about this, Montana said. But I hadnt seen (Mahomes) play. Man, hes a pretty special player. Hes special.
Montana is the first to point out that Mahomes physical gifts outweigh his own, but thats not the first thing he mentions when asked his opinion about the Chiefs first-year starter and likely MVP.
He does all the right things, Montana said. He seems to be able to make quick and fast reads, which in todays age you need to do. Hes very mobile, but hes not a run-first guy. One of the biggest things he has going for him is he can handle the pocket. He can handle the pocket when he needs to.
