The 10 greatest false alarms in NFL history: an April Fools special

NEW YORK CITY - APRIL 24: Quarterback Eli Manning (Mississippi) stands next to his older brother QB Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts after Eli was selected first overall by the San Diego Chargers at the 2004 NFL Draft on April 24, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Manning was later traded to the New York Giants in exchange for QB Philip Rivers (North Carolina State) and New York's third-round pick (No. 65), which they use to select Iowa K Nate Kaeding, and the Giants' first-round and fifth-round picks in the 2005 draft. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

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TEMPE, AZ – JANUARY 28: NFL legend quarterback Joe Montana who won four super bowls with the San Francisco 49ers poses for a photo on the field after participating in the coin toss prior to Super Bowl XXX between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Sun Devil Stadium on January 28,1996 in Tempe, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers 27-17. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

09. Joe Montana declines trade to the Cardinals

In 1993, the San Francisco 49ers made the momentous decision that Steve Young would officially be their starting quarterback for the future. The controversy that had involved him Joe Montana that started years before was finally over. The only piece of business left was deciding where to trade the four-time Super Bowl champion. Needless to say, there were plenty of suitors. It soon became clear though that one team was the most aggressive in pursuit.

The Arizona Cardinals reportedly wanted Montana badly. They offered a 1st round pick in the deal, something no other team was willing to give up in those early stages. No surprise given Montana was turning 37 at the time and had a long history of injury problems. However, the 49ers had given him the option of signing off on any trade they agreed to. Montana, knowing the Cardinals’ long history of mediocrity, shot it down.

In the end, Kansas City ended up offering the 1st rounder San Francisco wanted and the trade happened.

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