Over the next two weeks Philguard will be counting down the top 10 moments in the past 42 years in the big game. Today…
Joe Cool
John Candy helps the 49ers win the big one.
When: Super Bowl XXIII – January 22, 1989
Where: Joe Robbie Stadium
The 1988 49ers needed to prove playoff success was not a thing of the past. Three seasons earlier they had defeated the Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX, and while they had not missed the playoffs in those three seasons they had not won a playoff game in that time either. Quarterback Joe Montana, Running Back Roger Craig had gone without a postseason touchdown in those three years dooming the 49ers. In the 1988 campaign the 49ers would flip-flop at the quarterback position on their way as they posted 6-5 record through the first 11 games. Head Coach Bill Walsh would go back to Montana who produced 4 wins in the remaining 5 games, and the 49ers would win the NFC West with a 10-6 record. The Vikings won the Wildcard game and came to Candlestick Park only to be burned by Jerry Rice for 3 touchdowns on the way to a 34-9 San Francisco win. The 49er headed up to frigid Soldier Field the next week to take on the top seeded Bears. Gametime temperature was 17 degrees but the team from California thrived, scoring touchdowns in each quarter of the game as they secured the NFC Championship with a 28-3 win.
The Cincinnati Bengals were coming off a rough season in 1988. A 4-11 record and internal feuding gave Bengals fans little cause to expect anything close to a Super Bowl appearance. Quarterback Boomer Eisason ended up winning the MVP award in 1988 with help from Receivers Eddie Brown and Tim McGee and rookie Fullback Ickey Woods. The Bengals would finish 12-4 in a stunning turn around and secure the AFC Central crown and the number one seed in the playoffs. A 21-13 win in the Divisional round over the Seahawks followed by a 21-10 victory in the AFC Championship game against the Bills would send the Bengals to Miami for the Super Bowl.
The teams would trade field goals in the first half going to the locker room tied at 3. The 49ers would drive down for another field goal, but Bengals Running Back and return specialist Stanford Jennings would return the ensuing kick 94 yards to score the first touchdown of the game with less than a minute left in third quarter and the Bengals would lead 13-6. Montana took the 49ers on a four play, 85 yard drive that was capped off with a touchdown pass to Rice on the first play of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 13.
The Bengals got close enough to kick a go ahead field goal with 3:20 left on the clock. After the kickoff Montana and his offense took the field with 92 yards to go. As Montana came to the huddle he did not immediately call the play, or offer words of encouragement for his squad. Instead, in an effort to loosen up his guys Montana came into the huddle and motioned to the stands, “Hey, is that John Candy?” It worked. Montana drove the 49ers 11 plays to score the go ahead score with 39 seconds left. The Bengals were unable to make anything happen with the little amount of time left and the 49ers would win Walsh’s final game (he retired during the off season) 20-16.