Steve Young was a Hall of Fame quarterback who led the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl XXIX title, earning MVP honors and finishing with one of the best career passer ratings ever.
Jon Steven Young was born on 11 October 1961 in Salt Lake City, Utah, a great-great-great-grandson of Brigham Young, the founder of the city and early leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and moved with his family to Greenwich, Connecticut, at eight, where he starred in football and baseball. Young played college football at Brigham Young University, setting an NCAA single-season completion percentage record of 71.3 percent as a senior, before beginning his professional career with the Los Angeles Express of the USFL, becoming the first professional player to rush for 100 yards and pass for 300 yards in the same game. Young joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1987 as backup to Joe Montana, patiently waiting his turn before taking over as starter in 1991 and leading the NFL in passing efficiency for six seasons, winning back-to-back MVP awards in 1992 and 1994. Young delivered the finest performance of his career at Super Bowl XXIX, throwing a record six touchdown passes to earn game MVP honours as the 49ers defeated the San Diego Chargers. He retired in 1999 with a career passer rating of 96.8, third-highest in NFL history at the time, and earned a law degree from BYU during his playing career, later building an extensive career as a broadcaster and philanthropist.
Hall of Fame quarterback who succeeded Joe Montana in San Francisco
He sat behind Joe Montana for four years before becoming the most accurate passer in league history — one of sport's most patient and rewarding waits.
Did You Know?How They Played
Mobile pocket passer with exceptional scrambling ability, accurate left-handed thrower, excellent decision-maker under pressure
Lasting Impact
Revolutionized the quarterback position with his scrambling ability while maintaining elite passing accuracy, bridging the gap between Joe Montana and modern mobile quarterbacks
Career Honours
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2005)
- Super Bowl XXIX MVP
- 2x Super Bowl champion
- 2x NFL MVP
- 7x Pro Bowl
- 3x First-team All-Pro
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 1987–1999 | 169 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1985–1986 | 19 |
| Los Angeles Express | 1984–1985 | 10 |