Top 20 quarterback performances in Super Bowl history
By Joe Romano
3. Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl XXIX
Steve Young was almost certainly going to be remembered as Joe Montana’s backup. His performance in Super Bowl XXIX and subsequent career discarded that shadow.
Young is a Hall of Fame quarterback in his own right. However, before that career kicked off he was backing up Montana during a time where it looked like he was the best to ever play. He took over for Montana in 1991 and ’92 due to injuries. After Young looked like a future star Montana was traded to make way for him to start. The following year was his first season as the clear-cut starter. The 49ers fell short until finally making the Super Bowl in ’95. That is where Young shined.
San Francisco beat fellow California team the San Diego Chargers 49-26 after being the league’s best team at 13-3.
The MVP of the game went to Young. He broke his predecessor’s Super Bowl record by throwing six touchdown passes and pairing that with 325 yards. It was the highest scoring Super Bowl ever.
This game showed the world that Young was more than just Montana’s backup. He would go on to win two more Super Bowls. However none were as impressive as his six touchdown performance.