Kim Moses, the ex-wife of Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, recently auctioned off several personal possessions that once belonged to him, and now things like their marriage certificate; a letter he wrote her on a Ziggy card; an "I Love You" note; and a letter Montana wrote to Moses's parents detailing his first year playing for Notre Dame are available for everyone's perusal on The Smoking Gun.Also on The Smoking Gun: Montana's lawsuit against Moses over the auction:
Montana, 51, claims that the sale of the assorted items--which were auctioned last weekend by a Dallas, Texas firm--violated his copyright and privacy rights. In a U.S. District Court complaint, Montana names Kim Moses, his first wife, and Heritage Auction as defendants.Montana has been a private person since his retirement, and it's understandable that he's mad that his ex made a nice chunk of change from memorabilia collectors. But all of those possessions belonged to her, which is why, unless there's something specifically in their divorce decree prohibiting such sales, he's likely to lose this case.
Latest NFL Photos
Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck throws a pass as the Seahawks opened mini-camp at the team's practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
AP
Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck throws a pass as the Seahawks opened football mini-camp at their facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
AP
Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, left, calls signals during football mini-camp at the team's practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
AP
Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck stretches as the team opened mini-camp at their football practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
AP
Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck watches as the team opened mini-camp at their football practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
AP
Seattle Seahawks' linebacker Julian Peterson, left, and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck run through drills as the NFL football team held minicamp at the team practice facility in Kirkland, Wash., on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
AP
Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, center, prepares to throw as the NFL football team held minicamp at the team practice facility in Kirkland, Wash., on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
AP
** FILE ** In this July 27, 2006 file photo, Cleveland Browns linebacker Willie McGinest stretches during morning practice at the Browns football training camp in Berea, Ohio. Browns linebacker Willie McGinest says the 2008 season will be his last. McGinest told SI.com for a story Thursday, May 8, 2008, that he wants to finish his career on one last playoff run. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)
AP
Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, left, puts his helmet as they opened mini-camp at the team's football practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
AP
** FILE ** This July 26, 2007 file photo shows Michael Vick leaving the federal courthouse in Richmond, Va. A federal judge ordered imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick to repay more than $2.4 million to a Canadian bank for defaulting on a loan, Wednesday May 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, Pool, File)
AP
ADVERTISEMENT
_thumbnail.jpg "NASCAR Cowboy Hats")
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 10)
1. I would iamgine that after this many years, Joe being out of the public eye, she just needed money ! While it would have not been right for her to contact him and ask for money, it was wrong to talk, or sell anything about someone's past like that...
If I were Joe, as long as the items are sexual in nature, etc., just shrug it off to a sad person in financial troubles...
Posted at 8:36AM on May 9th 2008 by Lex
2. this guy is on his THIRD wife, he deserves everybit of this
Posted at 10:53AM on May 9th 2008 by karen
3. Joe Montana was the best quarterback besides Elway of the era. However divorces especially in eye of the public make people act like children. Let her enjoy the money for the little things that she took. Don't stoop to her level. It meant something back then but I could understand if she was trying to clean house. Me personally would rather cut ties and not have to deal with it or her anymore. Good luck Joe.
Posted at 10:58AM on May 9th 2008 by David
4. Obviously you have no idea who Kim Moses is, nor who Joe Montana really is. His first wife is the one who worked and allowed him to make his great NFL career. Yes, he is now on his third wife. This had nothing I'm sure to do with money, (see Ghost Whisperer). I'm sure he had to do with riding herself of "trash", albeit white.
Posted at 11:00AM on May 9th 2008 by Babs
5. I like Joe but none of his past wifes have did the book tour or went of thier way to hurt him...Either offer to buy or forget it...
Posted at 11:01AM on May 9th 2008 by Santa
6. she was a money grubbin arrogant bitch when he played for kansas city.i wish nothing but bad luck for her.im sure her contribution to their marriage was nill.other than spending joes money.
Posted at 11:10AM on May 9th 2008 by rodger
7. hey right on if the ex mrs-montana is having another auction i know of a quarteback who makes around 50 mil who is really good at keeping a bench warm. is it wrong to pray everyday that young or montana will come out of retirement, hell i wouldnt even mind garcia at this point. the niners of old one touchdown per two minutes of game time, the new niners one touchdown per two games. oh how i miss the good old days
Posted at 11:13AM on May 9th 2008 by mike
8. American women that go after men for money. They're all the same. Even after several years have passed whatever means they can use to siphon more money from a man is fair game in their mind. She was lucky that he allowed her to live the high life while she was married to him. After all these years you'd think she would have moved on and began sucking the blood of a new guy by now.
Posted at 11:14AM on May 9th 2008 by Scott
9. women are opportunists ...she is probably broke and saw the cash sitting in the closet.
lesson #1- never give your wife the checkbook or credit cards or access to the bank account or any personal items you can't live withoutlike diamond rings,jewelry, etc. saves the grief.
Posted at 11:17AM on May 9th 2008 by john
10. If they were divorced and these items were important to him, why did she have them in the first place. When you move out, Joe, take your stuff with you.
Posted at 11:18AM on May 9th 2008 by Monty Python 1975
11. My question is, who would want to buy something of that personal nature. People are strange. I live in SF but never was a fan of the niners but I always argued that Montana was the best QB that that ever played football. Never panicked. If I were Joe, let her have her last few desperate moments of spotlight time. Man she's pathetic.
Posted at 11:18AM on May 9th 2008 by RJ
12. Joe is a TOOL. His second wife found out he filed for divorce when she read it in the morning paper. He didn't mention it as he left their house for the airport that very morning.
Posted at 11:20AM on May 9th 2008 by Drew
13. Pretty simple really, don't get married.
Posted at 11:21AM on May 9th 2008 by Joe
14. Say it ain't so, Joe. Walk away and let her sell your stuff. You only glorify her in the press by suing her. I'm sure you have enough money for old age. Oh, and don't marry the fourth time.
Posted at 11:22AM on May 9th 2008 by Gil
15. So she had a garage sale in her sense of the word.
Just cleaning out yesterdays trash. Some make more than others...By the way, I knew Big Mac..Anyone
interested in his rookie card?
Posted at 11:26AM on May 9th 2008 by mike
16. Marry a European wife, they aren't money grubbers like American women.
Posted at 11:27AM on May 9th 2008 by Scott
17. I have known J.M. for years now, he is very private person and if his ex needed money all she had to do is have her lawyer contact him and offer these items back for what the auction house would have sold them for. If I were Joe I would have been upset that I was not contacted before they were sold off, but if I had left items behind and didn't care back then , why should I care now. Should have never brought this to the attention of the public with a lawsuit, now it just makes him look bad. Come on Joe, how much money do you really need in a lifetime?! Let the past be the past and enjoy your lovely wife Jennifer, all 6'1" of her!
RML/Burlingame,ca
Posted at 11:28AM on May 9th 2008 by Randy
18. Why can't people just learn to work through their marital problems . . . and stay married, as they promised on their wedding day?! They they would avoid all this vitriol later!
Posted at 11:28AM on May 9th 2008 by aerospacemajor
19. As a former niner, Montana is light in the loafers. He wants to keep his life private for fear the truth will be revealed. Watch some older footage of Montana playing and you will notice the "skip" in his walk.
Posted at 11:29AM on May 9th 2008 by Fred Smorgasbord
20. He gave them to her... they were her property. Now he IS going to lose some personal property... money... for attorney fees and court costs in this frivolous legal matter.
Posted at 11:31AM on May 9th 2008 by Angiebaby