Good pre-game (Screw you Montana!)

[Baseball Guru]

I enjoyed the pre-game festivities with the NFL as they pulled a page out of MLB by bringing in the former SB MVP's..

Notably absent were Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana..

Now I heard that Bradshaw declined to show because he wanted to be with his family... Ok, I can live with that...

But Joe Montana apparently did not show because the NFL would not guarantee him $100,000...

Are you ****ing kidding me??

If this is true, Joe Montana is a disgrace:loser:

What a piece of crap he is... I have lost all respect for Montana, who I grew up cheering for...

Thanks Joe for being another jackass athlete I used to look up to:(

[Durango53]

MVPs representing 32 of the 39 previous Super Bowls were on hand. Besides the 49ers' Montana, the only ones missing were Pittsburgh's Terry Bradshaw (a two-time MVP), Jake Scott (a Miami defensive back who was MVP in SB VII) and the late Harvey Martin (a Dallas defensive lineman who was co-MVP in SB XII). The issue with Bradshaw also reportedly was money; Scott is on vacation in Australia.

Here is a bit more on this. Bradshaw I dont understand wasnt he there with Fox so it would have took what 30 minutes of his time to walk out there?

Here is what they got for doing this....

The former MVPs were guaranteed $1,000 for incidental expenses while in Detroit. The NFL also provided each former Super Bowl MVP with two first-class airplane tickets, a hotel room, a Cadillac for the weekend, two tickets to the game, two tickets to the Friday night commissioner's party, two tickets to a Saturday night party and two tickets to a Sunday tailgate party. There also were opportunities for paid appearances arranged by the NFL.

This is sad. Is there any other player in the NFL that was made by the Super Bowl than Montana? He at least could have paid it back some. If he would have gave some face time it would have come back to get him some more money in the long run. Now this is going to hurt him.

And it isnt like they was getting stiffed by the NFL for showing up also.

[Durango53]

I also heard this morning on the radio that it was Montana that was to do the opening coin flip not Brady.

[rockin500]

I also heard this morning on the radio that it was Montana that was to do the opening coin flip not Brady.
brady has been the known coin flipper for at least ten days.

[Baseball Guru]

brady has been the known coin flipper for at least ten days.


Yeah but Montana was the original plan...

The other thing is, Montana was in Detroit the whole week for various SB stuff but refused to walk on the field during the pre-game:nono:

[Spitball67]

Montana is a disgrace to the NFL for doing what he did. Same with Bradshaw if it turns out he also backed out of doing this for the money.

[PissedPrincess]

I don't buy this. Montana is not going to blow off a stupid coin flip because he didn't get $100,000. No way. This is BS.

[Baseball Guru]

Well there are a lot of reports saying this is true.. Coming from a few sources...

[PissedPrincess]

I realize that, I just don't believe it. Why would he do this? Makes no sense. Montana is an extremely charitable guy, he's gonna all of a sudden pull something like this? I don't see it.

[rockin500]

it does seem a bit fishy to me as well. I cant see Montana not doing it over money.

[PissedPrincess]

it does seem a bit fishy to me as well. I cant see Montana not doing it over money.

They are now saying that Bradshaw turned it down because he didn't get enough money also. I just can't believe these guys would kill their reputations and look like giant A-holes over money. Stranger things have happened though. :notme:

[Spitball67]

The former MVPs were guaranteed $1,000 for incidental expenses while in Detroit. The NFL also provided each former Super Bowl MVP with two first-class airplane tickets, a hotel room, a Cadillac for the weekend, two tickets to the game, two tickets to the Friday night commissioner's party, two tickets to a Saturday night party and two tickets to a Sunday tailgate party. There also were opportunities for paid appearances arranged by the NFL.

is it me or does the $1000 that the NFL gave to the former MVP's seem kinda small? I mean, I could spend $1000 myself at the Super Bowl over a few days. I would think they would be paying these guys $10,000 plus the other stuff to show up. I wonder how much MLB would pay former World Series MVP's to show up to an MLB function similiar to this? THough Montana wanting $100,000 is way out of line if true.

[a_ndrew3000]

I don't blame these guys. Do they have to show up to single function that NFL wants them to? I'm sure some of them have lives outside of the NFL and things they would rather be doing.

I am surprised that Bradshaw didn't show considering that the Steelers were in the superbowl.

[Baseball Guru]

How often does the NFL do things like this where they pay tribute to past greats? Its not like MLB, where MLB seems to embrace their past more-so than any other sport.. It should have been an honor to be out there with some of the past greats... This was a pretty big function...

[PissedPrincess]

How often does the NFL do things like this where they pay tribute to past greats? Its not like MLB, where MLB seems to embrace their past more-so than any other sport.. It should have been an honor to be out there with some of the past greats... This was a pretty big function...

Oh, don't get me wrong, if it's true, then they are both slugs.

[Baseball Guru]

lol.. I know you do.. My response wasn't towards you:D

[Spitball67]

How often does the NFL do things like this where they pay tribute to past greats? Its not like MLB, where MLB seems to embrace their past more-so than any other sport.. It should have been an honor to be out there with some of the past greats... This was a pretty big function...

agreed,

but while we (and most) normal people would think that it would be an honor just to be there, there are those who want to get paid first, honored second. Those types don't deserve either.

[rockin500]

i guess montana had said he was going to his son's basketball game. for what its worth, at any rate.

[Baseball Guru]

His sons game was the night before wasn't it?

[Timberwolf]

To be fair to Joe Montana, he has distanced himself from the game and such. I read an article from him this season about how he is not into football or how he does not watch the game anymore. I guess that's why he didn't go. He mentioned to Star-Ledger's Eli Gelman about that when he was promoting his book this season. With that said, what he did was idiotic about how he wanted money just to be there with the former MVPs. Now that's just stupid. The fact they call you is a honor.

[a_ndrew3000]

Why isn't everyone upset that Jake Scott didn't show? Would anyone care if Desmond Howard (I think he was an MVP) didn't show?

Nope...Bradshaw and Montana are big names, so everyone starts whining. Maybe they just don't want to be there. Is it the end of the world? Both of them have cited family reasons and there should be no problem with that.

[rockin500]

you know, i dont really have a problem with montana and bradshaw for not being there. same with jake scott.

[I Are Baboon]

Joe Montana is 49er scum.

[PissedPrincess]

Joe Montana is 49er scum.

Tell us how you really feel. :laff:

[PopTop]

I realize that, I just don't believe it. Why would he do this? Makes no sense. Montana is an extremely charitable guy, he's gonna all of a sudden pull something like this? I don't see it.Me either, and if anyone listened to Montana Monday afternoon/night talk about it, they would know all of this crap about him not showing because of money is pure bullsh!t! Y'all need to quit listening to all of the conjecture and rumors and listen to the person tell their side before rushing to judgment. The NFL, at least the few of the suits with IQs over 60, knew in advance he wasn't going to be there on the weekend because of prior commitments (aka children).

[rockin500]

agreed willie. he would have done it for money, and a lot of it. he doesnt like to leave the area anymore if it conflicts with his kids. unless he is well compensated that is to cover his time and and hassle.

[Baseball Guru]

Nope...Bradshaw and Montana are big names, so everyone starts whining. Maybe they just don't want to be there. Is it the end of the world? Both of them have cited family reasons and there should be no problem with that.


No one said it was the end of the world but if true he's a jackass....

Thats my point.. Nothing more, nothing less...

[rockin500]

i dont think citing family issues is making montana (or bradshaw) a jackass.

[Durango53]

I was on the road most of the day Sunday and got to the TV about an hour before kick off and had it turned to ABC. But wasnt Bradshaw there for the FOX football show and such? I dont know just asking if anyone saw that or if they know for sure?

[PissedPrincess]

agreed willie. he would have done it for money, and a lot of it. he doesnt like to leave the area anymore if it conflicts with his kids. unless he is well compensated that is to cover his time and and hassle.

I guess I'm confused. So, he wanted to be with his son, but if he was paid a lot of money he would have said to hell with my son?

[Spitball67]

Me either, and if anyone listened to Montana Monday afternoon/night talk about it, they would know all of this crap about him not showing because of money is pure bullsh!t! Y'all need to quit listening to all of the conjecture and rumors and listen to the person tell their side before rushing to judgment.

Montana's reason (and Scott's and Bradshaw's for that matter) are weak at best. No matter how he tries to spin it, I don't believe him.

[Durango53]

Ok here is the answer to my own question...

An exhausted Terry Bradshaw talked to Dan Rooney and explained why he was among only a handful of former Super Bowl MVPs who did not attend. He was a two-time winner. As a studio host for Fox, Bradshaw spends virtually every weekend away from home, including Christmas this past year. He flew in to Detroit for an appearance Wednesday and then flew back home to his ranch in Oklahoma. There he watched the game with his daughters, his brother and his parents, according to someone close to Bradshaw. The quarterback also is having health problems. He will have surgery next month to repair damage done to his vertebrae in 1976 when Turkey Joe Jones of the Browns slammed his head into the turf in Cleveland.

[rockin500]

I guess I'm confused. So, he wanted to be with his son, but if he was paid a lot of money he would have said to hell with my son?
his wife would probably boot him out the door and tell him to take the money. ;)

[Spitball67]

Ok here is the answer to my own question...

An exhausted Terry Bradshaw talked to Dan Rooney and explained why he was among only a handful of former Super Bowl MVPs who did not attend. He was a two-time winner. As a studio host for Fox, Bradshaw spends virtually every weekend away from home, including Christmas this past year. He flew in to Detroit for an appearance Wednesday and then flew back home to his ranch in Oklahoma. There he watched the game with his daughters, his brother and his parents, according to someone close to Bradshaw. The quarterback also is having health problems. He will have surgery next month to repair damage done to his vertebrae in 1976 when Turkey Joe Jones of the Browns slammed his head into the turf in Cleveland.

the excuses are just a flying aren't they? I really feel sorry for him that's he's away from home making millions of dollars. Wah! Tell you what Terry, next time I'll fill in for you on Fox AND take you paycheck so you can spend quality time with the family. But he made sure he flew in for one day to make an appearance. Which I'm sure he was PAID for.

[rockin500]

why are you so worked up about it? He has every right not to want to go and do it.

you really are sounding like a little kid right now.

[I Are Baboon]

"I haven't seen a tackle like that since Joe Montana."

"Joe Montana was a quarterback, you idiot."

"I said Joe Mantegna."

[Spitball67]

why are you so worked up about it? He has every right not to want to go and do it.

you really are sounding like a little kid right now.



why do you care what I think about this subject and why are you taking personal shots at me?

If people want to believe Montana and Bradshaw, that's fine with me. More power to you. But there are people that do not believe them and want to express thier reasons why. That's all I did. It's not a personal shot at or disrespect to anyone here. Just my opinion and my reasons for said opinion.

[rockin500]

why do you care what I think about this subject and why are you taking personal shots at me?

If people want to believe Montana and Bradshaw, that's fine with me. More power to you. But there are people that do not believe them and want to express thier reasons why. That's all I did. It's not a personal shot at or disrespect to anyone here. Just my opinion and my reasons for said opinion.
some people like to look at the glass half full. thats all. ;)

[PopTop]

...and why are you taking personal shots at me?So it's ok for you to take personal shots at someone you don't know from Adam --- basically calling Montana and Bradshaw liars and babies --- but you don't want anyone to turn around and make personal comments about you?! :yadda:

[Spitball67]

some people like to look at the glass half full. thats all. ;)

that's cool, I have no problem with that. But some people (me unfortunately) look at the half empty glass. :bigsquare

Trust me, it's hard for me to rip on Bradshaw. He has been one of my absolute heroes for my entire life. I just think his excuse is weak.

[Spitball67]

So it's ok for you to take personal shots at someone you don't know from Adam --- basically calling Montana and Bradshaw liars and babies --- but you don't want anyone to turn around and make personal comments about you?! :yadda:

Did you read the rest of what I said? I also said that I did not take personal shots at anyone HERE. Montana and Bradshaw yes I'll call them whatever. Just like you have every right to defend them Pops and that's fine with me. I respect your opinion and in fact I hope that I am proven wrong by you. I do not want to hate either of those guys for unfounded reasons. But I also defended Palmiero at one time and look what happened.

[Thedatch]

aren't these two retired from football? what obligation do they have to show up anywhere anymore, regardless of how petty their excuses are?

[a_ndrew3000]

aren't these two retired from football? what obligation do they have to show up anywhere anymore, regardless of how petty their excuses are?

Part of joining the NFL is a lifetime obligation to please every fan of the NFL for the rest of your life. You can't have a family, or private life. You basically turn into dancing circus bear, who does what he is told.

[Thedatch]

Part of joining the NFL is a lifetime obligation to please every fan of the NFL for the rest of your life. You can't have a family, or private life. You basically turn into dancing circus bear, who does what he is told.

I understand the sarcasm in your reply, but that is not something written, only expectations, you know?

I have absolutely no problem with these two not coming if they don't want to. They don't have any contractual obligation to be there, and they had other priorities which they deemed more important. Whether it was money, or their family, I couldn't care less.

[Baseball Guru]

i dont think citing family issues is making montana (or bradshaw) a jackass.


Real funny Ray..:hmm: I would think you would know that I am still referring to the money part not citing family issues...

[rockin500]

Real funny Ray..:hmm: I would think you would know that I am still referring to the money part not citing family issues...
it was early on a tuesday morning. ;)

he cited family issues and thats sufficient for me. I'm sure that if the NFL had said we will give you 50K to come out here and do it, then he would have thought about it. But they would have had to make it worth his while, and I guess he thinks his son's basketball games are more important.

[PissedPrincess]

"I haven't seen a tackle like that since Joe Montana."

"Joe Montana was a quarterback, you idiot."

"I said Joe Mantegna."

:evillol

[PopTop]

Did you read the rest of what I said? Yes, I did read all of what you said, and I also listened to what Montana said. It doesn't matter to me if you're taking personal shots at a member of this board or some celebrity or athlete. You can't expect to be treated any different than you treat others, period.

But let's assume that this was all about the money, that the NFL just didn't pony up enough green for Montana, Bradshaw and Scott for them to change their plans and bless the crowd and TV audience with their presence. How much money is it worth to you to let your own kid down or for your parents to let you down? Should it be worth the same for you and your family as it is for the Montana's, Bradshaw's and Scott's? I'm guessing that everyone here has experienced this, either as a child or a parent; sometime along the way something work related cropped up and the family was the one that ended up losing out on the schedule. Does anyone here even know how far in advance the NFL went to Montana and the rest of the MVPs about appearing?

[Durango53]

Willie brings up some great points. I dont think anyone will come out with the full true story......

[Spitball67]

ESPN.com news services


When the NFL unveiled its MVPs from the previous 39 Super Bowls, only three living members skipped the ceremony.

Former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana and former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw decided to stay home, while former Dolphins MVP Jake Scott was traveling in Australia.

Montana, the league's only three-time Super Bowl MVP, and Bradshaw reportedly turned down the invitation over money.

Both denied the reports.

In a phone interview with "Quite Frankly" host Stephen A. Smith on Monday night, Montana vehemently denied forgoing the ceremony over money and reiterated that his absence was due to his preference to see his son's basketball game.

Montana told ESPN last week that he wasn't going to attend the Super Bowl because his son had an important basketball game he wanted to attend. Bradshaw, according to the Chronicle, told league officials he wanted to be with his family.

Montana said money was never an issue and that he would not have attended the Super Bowl ceremony even if the appearance fee had been greater than the $100,000 he was reported to have requested.

Former MVPs were given $1,000 for incidental expenses while in Detroit, along with other amenities such as plane tickets, car rental and game tickets.

Sources told each paper that Montana asked for a guarantee of at least $100,000 in appearance money.

When the league balked at Montana's demands, the quarterback declined to be in attendance.

Bradshaw, through a representative, denied the Chronicle's report that there was a dispute over money.

[Spitball67]

from FOXSports.com


One day after published reports suggested Hall-of-Famers Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw declined to participate in a Super Bowl pregame ceremony for financial reasons, both players refuted the charge.

According to a report in Monday's San Francisco Chronicle, Montana wanted at least $100,000 in order to appear during the ceremony, which featured all but three of the living Super Bowl MVPs. The NFL had offered two tickets to the game, hotel accommodations, the use of a car, tickets to three Super Bowl parties, $1,000 in spending money and first-class airfare to Detroit.

The office of Peter Johnson, Montana's agent at IMG, released a statement in response to the report.

"Joe Montana was in Detroit for Super Bowl activities on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday prior to the game, but always had planned to return home before the weekend to be with his family," the statement read. "He fulfilled his promise to attend son Nathaniel's basketball game on Friday night and son Nicholas' game on Sunday, and then be home with his family to watch the Super Bowl."

The same Chronicle report also said money was an issue with Bradshaw. The FOX analyst released a statement in which he said family obligations were behind his decision not to participate in the ceremony.

"I've heard press reports that say my decision to stay home and not take part in the Super Bowl XL MVP pregame ceremony had something to do with money," the statement read. "I don't know how that rumor got started, but it's just not true. The only reason I wasn't there was so that I could stay at home and watch the game with my family, especially my two daughters, which is what I do every year except when I have to work it. I informed my bosses at FOX, the NFL, as well as Mr. Rooney of my intentions beforehand, and everyone was very supportive. I would never, ever ask the NFL for a penny for something like this, and for anyone to say or write that I would is just flat out wrong."

Montana, Bradshaw and former Dolphins defensive back Jake Scott, who was vacationing in Australia, were the only living Super Bowl MVPs who did not attend.