In 1989 and again in 1990, the Associated Press named Montana the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP), and "Sports Illustrated" magazine named Montana the 1990 "Sportsman of the Year". Four years earlier in 1986, Montana had also won the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award. Montana was elected to eight Pro Bowls as well as being voted 1st team All-Pro by the AP in 1987, 1989, and 1990. Montana had the highest passer rating in the National Football Conference (NFC) five times (1981, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1989), and in both 1987 and 1989, Montana had the highest passer rating in the NFL.