49ers Legend Joe Montana Sends Emotional Message to Coach Shanahan’s Squad on the Eve of the Falcons Showdown
Santa Clara, California – October 18, 2025
On the eve of the pivotal Week 7 NFL matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium, 49ers legend Joe Montana delivered a deeply emotional message to the team via a video posted on the team’s official account. With a warm, resonant voice and glistening eyes, Montana – who led the 49ers to four Super Bowl victories (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV) – ignited the fighting spirit of the players under the leadership of head coach Kyle Shanahan.
In the over two-minute video, Montana, now an NFL icon and investor, began with a familiar image: his number 16 jersey hanging proudly in the Hall of Fame. “Guys, I fought on this turf four decades ago, but today, I see in you the fire I once had. The 49ers aren’t just a team – we’re a family, a legacy,” Montana said, his voice choked with emotion. “The game against the Falcons isn’t just about a win. It’s about proving that the San Francisco spirit lives forever.”
Montana specifically addressed Mac Jones, the quarterback stepping in reluctantly for the injured Brock Purdy, who is unable to play: “Mac, you’re seizing this opportunity with explosiveness. Perfect passes don’t just come from talent, but from the heart. I’ve been in your shoes, and I know – when you play for your brothers, nothing can stop you.” He also rallied the defense: “Warriors, turn that field into our own ‘Gold Rush.’ The Falcons have speed, but we have will.”
The message quickly spread across social media, with the hashtag #MontanaLegacy trending number 1 in California. 49ers fans, anxious after Purdy’s injury, expressed their emotion. One fan wrote on X: “Montana spoke, and I cried. Mac Jones can make it happen!” Another shared: “From legend to the new generation – the spirit remains unchanged.”
Shanahan, who received the video just hours before the final practice, played it for the entire team. “Joe isn’t just the past – he’s the compass for our future,” he said. “Today, we play for him, for San Francisco, and for ourselves.”
With a 4-2 record, the 49ers are leading the NFC West and need a win to maintain their momentum. The matchup against the Falcons – a team fiercely competing with the explosive Kirk Cousins – promises intensity. Mac Jones, with an impressive performance early this season (256 yards, 2 TDs in 3 games), brings new hope. With Montana’s message, the 49ers don’t just have a strategy – they have a soul. Will the “Quest for Six” continue? The answer comes tonight.
