Over the weekend, you may have read a Cam Inman article where he caught up with San Francisco 49ers hall of fame quarterback Joe Montana. They were talking everything from football, the current 49ers, and Montana’s throwing arm in a sling.

Not just a sling, it’s a piece of hardware he’s wearing to deal with the complications from shoulder replacement surgery. Per Inman, Montana will have follow-up surgeries to treat an infection and will be doing it all over again with another replacement.

Montana said he couldn’t lift his arm past his shoulder, which prompted the surgeries. And he has to wear that bulky brace everywhere, even bed.

In previous interviews, Montana has stated that he, “Can’t really run or do much.” The lack of mobility could be the lingering effects of the game. A previous era with a high level of violence that the league today is trying to dial down.

If you ever wanted a reason as to why the NFL is scrutinizing things and making it safe for quarterbacks, just point at Montana and the punishment he took. Yes, it goes with the territory, but having several shoulder replacement surgeries and not being able to run in their late 50s/early 60s is not a gig one should be in line for. Sure there’s the concussions that has everyone scared, but there’s also that accumulation of hits over a long career that batter one’s body, taking away chances to enjoy their lives after the game is over.

Is it perfect? No, some of the calls are infuriating. At the very least, we can see why these ridiculous situations and points of emphasis are in place. Looking at Montana, it’s a reason why the league is protecting quarterbacks—and players by extension.

And I haven’t even brought up CTE. Yes, the whole reason all of this is happening might be because of lawsuits and not genuine care to make things safer. All of this might just be the NFL covering itself so no one lawyers up. Regardless, this is why the league being made safer is good, it doesn’t matter the motivations just so much as it has a positive outcome.

It’s still not safe or perfect, but when you see things like this with Montana, this may be why things being made safer is for the better.