NFL quarterback Joe Montana to headline public affairs conference at Missouri State

News-Leader staff
·2 min read
Joe Montana
Joe Montana
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Four months from now, former NFL quarterback Joe Montana will be at Missouri State University to give the keynote speech for this year's Public Affairs Conference.

Montana will speak at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

The conference will be Sept. 26-28 and the theme is "Navigating the Now: Tradition, innovation, and wisdom in a world of change."

Brent Dunn, Missouri State University Foundation executive director, said Montana has proven he’s not only a winner, but also a leader both on and off the field.

“Widely considered one of the best NFL quarterbacks of all time, Joe will inspire us to lead with excellence and integrity,” Dunn said, in a news release.

Montana’s keynote is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required. The event is made possible by the Missouri State Foundation with support from KY3.

The foundation will also host a VIP reception with Montana at 5:30 p.m., just before his talk. Tickets are $150 a person and available online or by calling 417-836-4143.

The VIPs will have a photo opportunity with Montana during the reception. They will also have reserved seating at the keynote address.

According to the release, Montana brings lessons of preparation, teamwork and performance under pressure to audiences as a popular motivational speaker. In September 2005, he released his second book, “The Winning Spirit: 16 Timeless Principles that Drive Performance Excellence.”

As an NFL quarterback, Montana led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl Championships. He won more than 70% of the games he started during his 16-year career, and he continues to be an all-time NFL leader in quarterback ratings.

Montana was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player twice and earned three Super Bowl Most Valuable Player awards. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls and named an All-Pro five times.

He retired from professional football in 1995 after playing his final two seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He lives with his family in California.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: NFL quarterback Joe Montana to headline MSU public affairs conference