On
June 12, 2000,
quarterback Steve Young finally listened to his
body, many doctors, and others and retired after a 15 year
NFL career. He will very likely become a member of the
Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Young (DOB: 10/11/1961) was drafted 10th overall in the USFL draft by the Los Angeles Express after having All-American college success at Brigham Young University (Brigham Young was actually Steve's great-great-great grandfather).
The NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Young in the 1984 Supplemental Draft. From 1985-1986, Young started 19 games for lousy Bucs teams and had poor stats as a result (only 11 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions).
The San Francisco 49ers traded for Young in 1987, and Young backed up Joe Montana for several seasons, before becoming the starter in 1991 when Montana was injured.
Over the next decade, Young established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the history.
Young won the NFL MVP in 1992 and 1994. On January 29, 1995, Young was MVP of Super Bowl XXIX, throwing a postseason record 6 touchdowns in leading the 49ers to a 49-26 rout of the San Diego Chargers.
His career stats include 232 touchdowns (with only 107 interceptions) for 33124 yards. His 96.8 career quarterback rating and 64.3 completion percentage are both all-time records (ironically, Montana's 2nd in both categories). In addition, Young rushed for an impressive 4239 yards, which is 2nd all-time for a quarterback (behind only Randall Cunningham).