FanNation

No athlete has ever displayed more patience and maturity then Steve Young. Although he was one of the top collegiate players in the country, and came to the 49ers as an established professional quarterback with very good skills, Young spent his first few years in San Francisco on the bench. Why? The 49ers already had Joe Montana, arguable the best QB ever.  Young wasn't happy about his role as a backup, but he accpeted it quietly and professionaly. He studied Montana, one of the game's all-time greats, and he waited for his opportunity. When the time came for him to step into a starting role, Young was ready. But it wasn't until Super Bowl XXIX, at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, that Young finally emerged as a trule great QB in his own right.

On that day he rewrote the Super Bowl record book, completing 24 of 36 passes for 325 yeards and 6 TDs as the 49ers won their fifth championship. No one ever thrown six TD passes in a single Super Bowl. Not even Joe Montana. But Young was unstoppable. He didn't throw a single interception, despite filling the with pases. He even rushed for 49 yards. From the opening kick-off, Young made it obvious that this was going to be his day. On San Francisco's very first possession, less than a minute and a half into the game, Young tossed a beautiful 44-yard touchdown pass to give the 49ers a 7-0 lead. His target was Jerry Rice, who had long been a favorite of Montana's as well. As Rice strode into the end zone, Young pumped his fist. There would be other perfect strikes before the day was over, including a 51-yard TD pass to running back Ricky Watters. But it was the first TD that mattered most, for that one made it clear: The torch had been passed to the next generation.

SCOREBOARD:

TEAMS:    Chargers                       49ers

1st:              7                                14

2nd              3                                14

3rd               8                                14

4th               8                                  7

FINAL:          26                              49

SCORING:

SF-Rice 44 pass from S. Young (Brien kick)

SF-Watters 51 pass from S. Young (Brien kick)

SD-Means 1 run (Carney kick)

SF-Floyd 5 pass from S. Young (Brien kick)

SF-Watters 8 pass from S. Young (Brien kick)

SD-FG Carney 31

SF-Watters 9 run (Brien kick)

SF-Rice 15 pass from S. Young (Brien kick)

SD-Coleman 98 kick return (2-pt Seay from Humphries)

SF-Rice 7 pass from S. Young (Brien kick)

SD-Martin 30 pass from Humphries (2-pt Pupunu from Humphries)