Brodie came to the Bay Area as the Third Overall Pick in the 1957 Draft, but in the first few seasons, he was there to learn under the future Hall of Famer, Y.A. Tittle. Tittle was traded in 1961, and Brodie took over as San Francisco's starting Quarterback, a role he held until he retired in 1973. The former Stanford Cardinal was one of the most successful QBs of the 1960s, breaking through in 1965 with a league-leads in Pass Completion Percentage (61.9%), Passing Yards (3,112), and Passing Yards. Brodie was good, but he did not have a lot of other stars around him.
The Niners’ QB was again first in Passing Yards in 1968 (3,020), and was so again in 1970 (2,941), a number that was not a career-high, but the overall year was his most efficient. Brodie threw for an NFL-leading 24 Touchdown Passes, against only 10 Interceptions, a ratio that was his best, and excellent for the era. He had a record of 10-2 and was named the AP and NEA MVP for the 1970 season.
After another good year in 1971, injuries and age caught up to Brodie, and he left the game two years later. Brodie would throw for 31,548 Yards, and 214 Touchdowns, and in 1973, the 49ers retired his no. 12. He was also enshrined into the 49ers Hall of Fame for their first class in 2009.
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