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American Football Biography

Steve Young

“Steve”

American flag American · Salt Lake City, USA · Born 11 October 1961

Quarterback

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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.

Famous For

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?
Playing Style

How They Played

Mobile pocket passer with exceptional scrambling ability, accurate left-handed thrower, excellent decision-maker under pressure

Legacy

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

Honours & Achievements

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 Career
Team Period Games
San Francisco 49ers1987–1999169
Tampa Bay Buccaneers1985–198619
Los Angeles Express1984–198510
Career Journey

Timeline

1984 📌 USFL debut with Los Angeles Express
1985 🎯 NFL debut with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1987 📌 Traded to San Francisco 49ers
1991 🎯 Became 49ers starting quarterback
1992 🥇 First NFL MVP award
1995 🏆 Super Bowl XXIX victory and MVP
1999 📌 Retirement from NFL
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

2 common questions about Steve Young

Steve Young's estimated net worth is $40m.

Steve Young played as a Quarterback.