Top 30 NFL players of the 1990

Top 30 NFL players of the 1990s

DENVER, UNITED STATES: Denver Brocos running back Terrell Davis (30) makes a 12 yard carry late in the second quarter during game action 24 September, 2000 at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. AFP PHOTO/ MARK LEFFINGWELL (Photo credit should read MARK LEFFINGWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young (R) scrambles as Minnesota Vikings linebacker Broderick Thomas makes a leaping tackle during the first quarter 18 December in San Francisco. AFP PHOTO/John MABANGLO (Photo credit should read JOHN G. MABANGLO/AFP via Getty Images) /

5. Steve Young

Steve Young is one of the most exciting quarterbacks in NFL history. He was a rare breed of his time. His cannon left arm, combined with his superb ability to scramble and make plays with his legs made him unique in a time where the mobile quarterback was rare.

Young was an immediate success in his first year as the starter in San Francisco. He was named first-team All-Pro and won the first of his two MVP awards. He repeated as an All-Pro in 1993, but something was still missing. 49ers fans missed Joe Montana, and were quick to jump on Young for his shortcomings at any opportunity.

In 1994, Young finally got the monkey off his back, as he won the NFL MVP and led the 49ers to their fifth Super Bowl in franchise history. Young torched the Chargers in what is still the single greatest performance by a quarterback in Super Bowl history.

He went 24-36 for 325 yards and six touchdowns and no interceptions. The 49ers beat the 49ers 49-26, and Young finally did what many Joe Montana die-hards said he couldn’t-lead San Francisco to a world championship. Young retired after the 1999 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

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