He benefitted from the offensive system that almost ruined professional football: The West Coast Offense, otherwise known as the "Pass the ball continuously for 5 yards to pad my stats and save my ass" offense.
No wonder why Montana couldn't beat Parcell's Giants.
I would never let my kids play football when they are little. My father (now deceased) used to say people should learn "life sports", stuff they can start as kids and keep doing until they are 70. Golf, tennis, skiing, jogging.
It was good advice I wish I had followed more closely.
As much as I love football it's sort of idiotic how much it screws up people. I try to like watching soccer, but I just can't get any enthusiasm for it, but if I had a young son I would much prefer him playing that to football.