Stanford Football is mourning the loss of one of its true legends: John Brodie, a Stanford Athletics Hall of Famer and one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in program history.
Before he became a household name in the NFL, Brodie was lighting it up on The Farm. From 1954 to 1956, he was the face of Stanford Football, a consensus All-American in 1956 and a record-setter under center. By the time he left Palo Alto, he held the school’s career passing yardage record-a mark that helped define the early era of Stanford’s quarterback tradition.
That tradition? It’s still going strong, and Brodie helped lay the foundation.
As Stanford football general manager Andrew Luck put it, “Stanford’s rich tradition of quarterback play is synonymous with John Brodie. He was one of the standard-bearers for elite quarterback play.”
Luck, himself part of that same quarterback lineage, proudly displays Brodie’s Stanford jersey in his office-a symbol of just how deeply Brodie’s legacy is woven into the fabric of the program.
Brodie’s success didn’t stop at the college level. In 1956, he was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers-just the fifth Cardinal player ever taken in the first round. From there, he carved out a 17-year career (1957-1973) with the Niners, becoming one of the most prolific passers of his generation.
He led the league in passing yards three times and touchdown passes twice, including a standout 1965 campaign that earned him NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. But his crowning achievement came in 1970, when he was named NFL MVP-making him the first former Stanford player to win the league’s top individual honor.
At the time of his retirement, Brodie ranked third all-time in NFL passing yards and eighth in touchdown passes. That’s elite company, and a testament to both his longevity and his ability to evolve with the game.
But Brodie wasn’t just a football guy. He was a two-sport athlete at Stanford, also competing on the men’s golf team.
And after his football days were over, he didn’t leave competition behind. In 1991, he captured a title on the Senior PGA Tour-a rare feat for any former NFL player.
His post-playing career also included a successful stint as a broadcaster, where he brought his sharp mind and charisma to NBC Sports, even calling Super Bowl XIII from the booth.
Brodie’s accolades speak for themselves: Stanford Athletics Hall of Famer, San Francisco 49ers Hall of Famer, No. 12 retired by the 49ers, and a 1986 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame. His number-No. 12-isn’t just a jersey; it’s a symbol of excellence in Bay Area sports.
John Brodie leaves behind a legacy that stretches across decades, sports, and generations. He was a pioneer, a competitor, and a leader both on and off the field. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and everyone in the Stanford and Bay Area sports communities who were touched by his remarkable life.