History of Steve Young in Timeline

Steve Young is a retired American football quarterback renowned for his illustrious NFL career, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers. Before the NFL, Young showcased his talents with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Express in the USFL. A standout college player for BYU, he established numerous records. Young's NFL tenure, particularly with the 49ers, cemented his legacy as one of the sport's greatest quarterbacks, marked by Super Bowl victories and MVP awards.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

October 11, 1961: Jon Steven Young's Birth

On October 11, 1961, Jon Steven Young was born. He later became a professional football quarterback in the NFL, most notably with the San Francisco 49ers.

1978: All-FCIAC West Division First Team Honors

In 1978, his junior year, Steve Young earned All-FCIAC West Division First Team honors.

November 1979: Loss on Thanksgiving Day

On Thanksgiving Day in November 1979, Greenwich, where Steve Young played, lost to Darien High School 17-0.

1981: "The Catch" Reference

Terrell Owens' catch in 1998 was compared to Dwight Clark's legendary catch against the Dallas Cowboys in the 1981 NFC Championship Game.

1982: 49ers Miss Postseason

In 1991, the San Francisco 49ers did not play in the postseason for the first time since 1982.

1983: Holiday Bowl Victory

In 1983, Steve Young capped his college career by scoring the game-winning touchdown on a pass in BYU's 21-17 victory over Missouri in the Holiday Bowl.

March 1984: Signing with the Los Angeles Express

In March 1984, Steve Young signed with the Los Angeles Express, accepting a 10-year, $40 million contract.

1984: Drafted by the USFL Los Angeles Express

In January 1984, Steve Young was selected by the USFL Los Angeles Express in the first round (11th overall) of the draft.

1984: Financial Instability of the Express

Near the end of the 1984 season, the owner of the Los Angeles Express was forced to give up control due to misrepresentation of net worth.

1985: Young Joins the Buccaneers

In 1985, Steve Young left the USFL and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1985: Express' Precarious Position

In 1985, The league took over the Express and cut the budget to the bare minimum. Notably, no money was allocated to replace injured players. The Express cratered to a 3–15 record.

1986: Young Buys Out Express Contract

In 1986, after giving the USFL an ultimatum, Steve Young bought out his contract with the Los Angeles Express and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1986: Express' Planned Move

In 1986, the Los Angeles Express planned a move to a fall schedule, though it was uncertain if the USFL would survive.

April 24, 1987: Young Traded to the 49ers

On April 24, 1987, Steve Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers to serve as a backup to Joe Montana.

1987: Substituting for Montana

In 1987, Steve Young substituted for an injured Joe Montana in a game against the Chicago Bears and threw four touchdown passes. He also replaced Montana in a playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, performing well in a loss.

1987: Young Traded to the 49ers

In 1987, after two seasons with the Buccaneers, Steve Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers.

1987: Young collected a total of $4.8 million of the $5.8 million due in total through the final year of that deal

In 1987, facing the prospect of both a faltering owner and an unstable league, Young had already renegotiated his 10-year deal down to 4 years, and had already collected a total of $4.8 million of the $5.8 million due in total through the final year of that deal, working out to an annual rate of pay of $2.4 million for his first two seasons that was the highest in all of American sports

October 30, 1988: Game-Winning Touchdown Run

On October 30, 1988, Steve Young ran for a 49-yard, game-winning touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. He also started the game with a 73-yard touchdown pass to John Taylor, leading the 49ers to a crucial victory.

October 22, 1989: Perfect Passer Rating

On October 22, 1989, Steve Young posted a perfect passer rating of 158.3 in a victory over the New England Patriots.

1989: Quest for Super Bowl

After key free agent signings, the 49ers aimed to win their first Super Bowl since 1989. The team started strong, with Young throwing four touchdown passes in a game against the Los Angeles Raiders.

December 23, 1990: Career-High Rushing Yards

On December 23, 1990, Steve Young rushed for a career-high 102 yards against the New Orleans Saints, becoming only the second 49ers quarterback to rush for at least 100 yards in a single game, though the 49ers lost the game.

1990: Montana's Injury

Following an injury to Joe Montana's elbow in the 1990 NFC Championship Game, Steve Young got his chance to lead the 49ers.

October 20, 1991: Highest Single Game Completion Rate

From October 20, 1991, to October 1, 2023, Steve Young held the franchise's highest single game completion rate of 90% against the Detroit Lions.

1991: Young Becomes 49ers' Starting Quarterback

In 1991, Steve Young became the full-time starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.

1991: Best Passer Rating

In 1991, Steve Young finished the season with an NFL best 101.8 passer rating, but the 49ers did not make the playoffs.

1991: Young's Chance to Lead

In 1991, Steve Young got his chance to lead the 49ers after an injury to Joe Montana, though the team struggled early in the season. He suffered a knee injury, and later closed out the season with a strong performance against the Chicago Bears.

1992: Montana's Return

By the start of the 1992 season, Steve Young's starting job was in peril due to Joe Montana's recovery and a potential trade. Montana returned in the final game of 1992.

1992: Comparison to 1993 Season

During the entire 1992 season, Steve Young threw less interceptions than in the first four games of the 1993 season.

1992: Young Named NFL MVP

In 1992, Steve Young was named the AP's NFL Most Valuable Player.

1993: Ascension to 49ers' Undisputed Starter and Record-Breaking Season

In 1993, Steve Young became the 49ers' undisputed starting quarterback after Joe Montana was traded. Despite a rough start to the season with a swollen thumb, Young recovered and set franchise records for most passing yards (4,023) and consecutive passes without an interception (189). He also led the NFL in touchdown passes (29) and passer rating (101.5). The 49ers advanced to the NFC championship game but were defeated by the Dallas Cowboys. Young also founded the Forever Young Foundation in 1993.

1993: Founded Forever Young Foundation

In 1993, Steve Young founded the Forever Young Foundation, which supports children facing physical, emotional, and financial challenges.

1994: Earned Juris Doctor

In 1994, Steve Young earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from BYU's J. Reuben Clark Law School.

1994: Young Wins Super Bowl XXIX MVP

In 1994, Steve Young was named the MVP of Super Bowl XXIX, where he led the 49ers to victory and set a record with six touchdown passes. During this season, Young also set a new NFL record for passer rating at 112.8.

1995: Early Playoff Exit and Injuries

In 1995, Steve Young and the 49ers faced an early playoff exit and Young suffered injuries that caused him to miss several games.

1995: Beverly Hills, 90210 Appearance

In 1995, Steve Young appeared as himself in an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210.

October 1996: Previous Concussion

Steve Young had suffered a severe concussion in October 1996.

1996: NFL passer rating

In 1996, Steve Young led the NFL in passer rating

August 1997: Previous Concussion

Steve Young had suffered a severe concussion in August 1997.

1997: Early Playoff Exit and Injuries

In 1997, Steve Young and the 49ers faced an early playoff exit and Young suffered injuries that caused him to miss several games.

1998: Career Numbers and Playoff Run

In 1998, Steve Young achieved career highs in passing yards (4,170) and passing touchdowns (36). The 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round with Young throwing the winning touchdown to Terrell Owens, known as "The Catch II". However, Garrison Hearst's injury and Young's interceptions led to a loss against the Atlanta Falcons.

1998: Declined Role in "There's Something About Mary"

In 1998, Steve Young declined a role specifically written for him in the movie "There's Something About Mary," which then went to Brett Favre.

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September 27, 1999: Injured on Monday Night Football

On September 27, 1999, Steve Young was injured during a Monday Night Football game against the Arizona Cardinals after being hit by Aeneas Williams on a corner blitz. This happened with just seconds remaining before halftime.

1999: Ranked on Top 100 Football Players List

In 1999, Steve Young was ranked No. 63 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

2000: Republican National Convention Prayer

In 2000, Steve Young gave the opening prayer at the Republican National Convention.

2000: Marriage to Barbara Graham

In 2000, Steve Young married Barbara Graham. They have two sons and two daughters.

2001: Induction into College Football Hall of Fame

In 2001, Steve Young was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.

2002: The Singles Ward Cameo

In 2002, Steve Young made a cameo appearance in the LDS comedy, The Singles Ward.

February 5, 2005: Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

On February 5, 2005, Steve Young was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, becoming the first left-handed quarterback to receive this honor.

August 7, 2005: Enshrinement into Pro Football Hall of Fame

Steve Young was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 7, 2005, with his father, LeGrande "Grit" Young, giving his induction speech.

2007: Co-founded Huntsman Gay Global Capital

In 2007, Steve Young co-founded Huntsman Gay Global Capital (HGGC) with Jon M. Huntsman and Robert C. Gay, serving as a managing director.

October 5, 2008: 49ers Jersey Retirement Ceremony

On October 5, 2008, the San Francisco 49ers retired Steve Young's No. 8 jersey during a halftime ceremony against the New England Patriots. Young was the 11th player in team history to receive this honor and the only 49er to wear No. 8.

2009: Completion Percentage Record Eclipsed

Drew Brees surpassed Steve Young's completion percentage record in 2009.

2009: Spokesman for Charitable Dodgeball Tournaments

In 2009, Steve Young became the honorary league commissioner and national spokesman for charitable dodgeball tournaments held on college campuses.

2011: Appeared in BYU Advertising Campaign

In 2011, Steve Young appeared in BYU's "Real Cougar" advertising campaign, humorously portraying himself.

2012: Consecutive Passes Record Eclipsed

In 2012, Alex Smith eclipsed Steve Young's franchise record of 189 consecutive passes thrown without an interception.

2012: Longest Run Record

In 2012, Colin Kaepernick broke Steve Young's record for the longest run by a 49ers quarterback with a 56-yard run.

2013: Concerns About Concussions

In a 2013 Frontline interview, Steve Young expressed concern about repeated concussions and subconcussive hits, especially for running backs and linemen.

2014: BYUtv's Studio C Appearance

In 2014, Steve Young made a cameo appearance in a season 5 episode of BYUtv's Studio C.

2016: Publication of Autobiography

In 2016, Steve Young's autobiography, QB: My Life Behind the Spiral, co-authored with Jeff Benedict, was published.

2022: Chairman of the Board

As of 2022, Steve Young has been serving as chairman of the board for Integrity Marketing Group and his private equity firm, Huntsman Gay Global Capital, held a position in the partnership.

June 30, 2023: Layoff from ESPN

On June 30, 2023, Steve Young was laid off by ESPN after being a fixture on NFL studio shows, including NFL Countdown, for over two decades.

October 1, 2023: Single game Completion Rate Record Eclipsed

On October 1, 2023, Brock Purdy bested Steve Young's single game completion rate of 90% against the Detroit Lions, with 95.2% against the Arizona Cardinals.

2025: Young's Passing Ranking

As of 2025, Steve Young was ranked fourteenth all time in passer rating among NFL quarterbacks, and was ranked fourth-highest amongst retired players, behind Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Tony Romo.