Peter Hartlaub is a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, and every so often he will unearth some serious gems from the Chronicle archives. Recently, he came across some old content from 1979 and 1980 about Joe Montana. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback went through growing pains his first two seasons, and 49ers fans were not pleased.
The Internet may not have been around back then, but that did not stop people from voicing their opinions about him. They did not come out and call him a bust, but they inferred as much. We had people suggesting trades, and one who even seemed to suggest electrocution with the battery pack quarterbacks wore. I have a feeling that person probably would have been banned from Niners Nation.
Here are a few of the things Peter came across and shared on his Twitter account. Fans really have not changed much over the years. It's more just a matter of new mediums for expressing their anger.
"The 49ers' experiment with Joe Montana is over ..." Box score and reaction after @JoeMontana's first start in 1979. pic.twitter.com/i09oktf4lF
— Peter Hartlaub (@peterhartlaub) December 16, 2015
In this 1980 letter to the editor, a Chronicle reader literally wants 49ers QB @JoeMontana to get electrocuted. pic.twitter.com/2pyb8bRuUF
— Peter Hartlaub (@peterhartlaub) December 16, 2015
More hot takes from the 1980 Chronicle letters page: Draft Marc Wilson and trade @JoeMontana for a pick. Obviously. pic.twitter.com/JBDh9HwIrB
— Peter Hartlaub (@peterhartlaub) December 16, 2015