John Brodie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| John Brodie | |
|---|---|
 John Brodie as featured on the cover of SI. |
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| Date of birth | August 14, 1935 |
| Place of birth | San Francisco, CA |
| Position(s) | QB |
| College | Stanford |
| Pro Bowls | 2 |
| Retired #s | San Francisco 49ers #12 |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1957-1973 | San Francisco 49ers |
John Brodie (born August 14, 1935) is a former professional American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, and had a second career as a Senior PGA Tour professional golfer.
Brodie was born in San Francisco, California. He grew up in the Montclair district of Oakland and attended Montclair Grammar (later Elementary) School and Oakland Technical High School and was a standout athlete even then. He went on to attend Stanford University, where he was admitted to the Zeta Psi fraternity. He graduated in 1956, and was selected as a consensus All-American the same year. He first appeared with the 49ers as a rookie in 1957, seeing limited action. He got more playing time in 1958 through 1960, sharing time with Y.A. Tittle, and became the starter in 1961, holding that role through 1973.
He was among the leading passers in the league throughout the 1960s, his best statistical year was 1965 when he led the League in passing average (3,112 yards) and touchdowns (30). He appeared in the Pro Bowl in 1965 and 1970. Also, in 1970, he received the NFL's Most Valuable Player Award.
For many years Brodie was affiliated with the Church of Scientology and was one of their leading celebrity spokespersons. His experience with them soured during a Sea Org power struggle in which several of Brodie's friends were expelled and/or harassed, and Brodie resigned in solidarity with them. Said Brodie, "There were many in the church I felt were treated unfairly". [1] Prior to this, Brodie was one of the first 25 Scientologists to achieve the level of OTVII in the church. Mimi Rogers served as his auditor.
After he retired from his football career, Brodie competed as a professional golfer on the Senior PGA Tour from 1985 to 1999. He had one win and more than ten top-10 finishes.
One of his daughters is Erin Brodie, who found some fame on television in 2003, while another daughter is married to former NFL quarterback Chris Chandler
In 2006, Brodie's number 12 jersey was brought out of retirement and worn by Trent Dilfer, backup quarterback for the 49ers. Dilfer, a close personal friend of Brodie, hopes to bring attention to Brodie's bid for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Many who have encountered him on the Senior Tour report that he has fallen on hard times, lapsing into alcoholism, nicotine abuse, and preying upon equally sad, haggard divorcees.
| Preceded by: Roman Gabriel |
NFL Most Valuable Player 1970 season |
Succeeded by: Alan Page |
| Preceded by: Y.A. Tittle |
San Francisco 49ers Starting Quarterbacks 1961-1973 |
Succeeded by: Steve Spurrier |
[edit] Senior PGA Tour wins
[edit] Notes
- ^ Sappell, Joel, Welkos, Robert W.. "The Courting of Celebrities", Los Angeles Times, 1990-06-25, p. A18:5. Retrieved on 2006-06-06. Additional convenience link at [1].
