Gold Jacket Spotlight: Steve Young persevered to win his battles 

As a result of his performance on the field and his attributes off the field, STEVE YOUNG belongs to a permanent team now numbering 371 of the best to play, coach or contribute to professional football.

His journey, however, was not without its battles. This week, Steve’s perseverance in meeting those challenges head-on is recalled in the Gold Jacket Spotlight.

A three-sport standout in high school, Steve’s love for football and playing quarterback led him to Brigham Young University, a school known for producing prolific passers. One problem: Steve’s college coaches initially deemed him too poor of a thrower to develop into their starter and considered moving him to defensive back to take advantage of his athleticism.

He improved substantially, however, and adopted new mechanics that earned him the starting position at quarterback. He later set school and NCAA records and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting. 

Upon graduation, Steve spent two seasons in the USFL and later entered the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft. Tampa Bay chose him with the first overall selection. During his time with the Buccaneers, he quickly discovered his fit with the organization and offensive scheme was not ideal. After back-to-back losing seasons, he jumped at the chance to be traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he played for the remainder of his NFL career. To this day, Steve appreciates head coach George Seifert for taking a chance on him. 

“In San Francisco, I found football in its newly enlightened form … I have found heaven on earth in football … a football nirvana,” he said in his Hall of Fame Enshrinement speech. 

Not right away, though.

Steve would spend four years waiting behind future Hall of Famer JOE MONTANA, not always patiently. The resulting “creative tension” led to a quarterback controversy with both attempting to prove himself as the best quarterback for the 49ers. 

When Montana was traded following the 1992 season, not everyone in the city of San Francisco was ready to adjust to a new quarterback. In the same respect, Steve admittedly found it difficult to adjust to the pressures of being the full-time starter on a team with high expectations. 

Steve dealt with the external battles — angry boo birds — and his own internal war: severe anxiety. 

“I wasn’t built for that from a clinical perspective … But there is another part of me that wasn’t afraid to go to a competition,” Steve said years later as he opened up on his personal situation. “If the sun was up, I was up killing it. When the sun was down, things went south.” 

During his childhood, Steve said, he experienced high levels of anxiety when away from home. Although he did a great job of hiding it, using family and football practices as excuses — with on-field success helping — he no longer could run from his mental health challenges. 

In 1991, Young missed practices due to sleepless nights that resulted from anxiety that flared before big games. Noticing the negative physical effects the anxiety was causing, the people closest to Steve urged him to seek help. 

At that time, Steve didn’t disclose his experiences with anxiety due to pressure and a fear of embarrassment. After multiple sleepless nights, he finally promised himself if the 49ers won in the upcoming game, he would share his secret. 

Although they lost, Steve had come to believe it was still the right thing to do to get help, not only for himself but also so he could become his best self for his team. He raised his concerns to his team doctor, James Klint, and was provided the resources necessary to get better. 

“You must own up to your mistakes, and more importantly repent and fix the problem,” Young said in his Enshrinement speech. 

He now speaks openly about his experiences and encourages young athletes not to hide when they are experiencing unhealthy mental habits. 

Steve’s presence in the Gold Jacket Spotlight this week recognizes his consistency — not only as a record-setting quarterback, but also as a person who inspires others. His acceptance of his shortcomings and ability to win the battles he fought on and off the field made him a Hall of Famer.