Steve Young

Steve Young (Jon Steven Young, born October 11, 1961) is an American former professional football quarterback whose career spanned the mid‑1980s to the late‑1990s. After a standout collegiate tenure at Brigham Young University where he earned unanimous All‑American honors and set numerous NCAA records, Young entered the United States Football League and was drafted by the Los Angeles Express in 1984, signing a historic ten‑year contract that underscored his early market value. Following two seasons in the USFL, he moved to the NFL, first with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985‑86) where he struggled, then was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1987, initially serving as backup to Joe Montana. Young’s persistence paid off; by 1991 he became the 49ers’ full‑time starter and went on to win three Super Bowls (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX), earning Super Bowl XXIX MVP honors after throwing a record‑tying six touchdown passes. His prolific passing earned him two NFL MVP awards (1992, 1994), seven Pro Bowl selections, and multiple league leader titles in passer rating, completion percentage, and touchdown passes, solidifying his reputation as one of the most efficient quarterbacks of his era. Off the field, Young earned a Juris Doctor from BYU’s law school, co‑founded the private‑equity firm HGGC, and pursued acting roles in television series such as Frasier and Wings. He later became a longtime ESPN analyst, contributing to shows like NFL Countdown until his layoff in 2023. A devout member of the LDS Church, Young founded the Forever Young Foundation to aid children facing adversity, and serves on numerous humanitarian boards, reflecting a lifelong commitment to philanthropy and community service.