
A Little Bit Of Patience, A Lot
Of Success
It
is not always necessary to fly out the gate.
Back in 1984, Steve Young was projected
to be the number one pick in the National
Football League (NFL) entry draft. Young
was ambitious and knew that he would never
start in his first year. Instead of holding
the clipboard on the sideline, he bolted
to the United States Football League (USFL),
signing with the LA Express. LA was closer
to his home in Provo, Utah and he knew that
he would have a chance to start. In 1985,
the USFL folded and Young returned to the
NFL team that had drafted him in 1984, the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After 2 seasons and
19 games, the San Francisco 49ers acquired
the promising quarterback.
But
the 49ers had a legend and a future Hall
of Famer at the position: Joe Montana. When
Montana was injured in 1991 however, Young
came in and led the NFL (NFL) in passing
efficiency, his first year as a starter.
Despite
his ambition,
Young has always maintained that the years
he spent watching Montana were invaluable.
With football minds like Bill Walsh, Mike
Shanahan, Mike Holmgren and George Seifert
and a legend at wide receiver like Jerry
Rice, Young was provided with the best tools
to succeed
as well.
Of
particular relevance is the fact that Young
did not waste his time as a backup. He pursued
his law degree at Brigham Young University
the entire time, completing it in 1994.
In addition, Young also founded the Forever
Young Foundation in 1993, committed to helping
children in need. Now that is a class act.
Incidentally,
as eager as Steve Young was to step out
of Joe Montana's shadow, coach George Seifert
was just as eager to do the same with regard
to Bill Walsh. Perhaps this is what made
Young and Seifert such a fruitful
partnership.
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